The One Year Wisdom for Women Devotional: 365 Devotions through the Proverbs (92 page)

December 16

Be a Berean!

     
Every word of God is pure;

     
He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him.

     
Do not add to His words,

     
Lest He rebuke you, and you be found a liar.

I love the word
pure
. God’s Word is pure, meaning, “free from anything inferior or contaminating.” It is flawless and undiluted like pure gold or clear water.

This is a good place to talk about the importance of being Berean Christians. The Bereans did not rely upon secondhand knowledge or other people’s opinions. They went directly to the Scriptures and searched them themselves.

Therefore we, too, must read the whole counsel of God. Many people get in a rut. They always just read the Psalms or just the Epistles, but the Bible has a wonderful balance from cover to cover. We miss some important truths and powerful examples from the Old Testament if we’re afraid to read it. And so, as we are coming to a new year, this would be a great time to pick up a
One Year Bible
so you can begin on January 1.
The One Year Bible
is divided in 365 segments. Each day of reading includes the Old Testament, New Testament, a psalm, and a proverb. By just reading twenty to thirty minutes a day, you can read the entire Bible in one year. How exciting that is! But more than that, you will see a new victory, a new love for the Lord, a new desire to please him. Now, that’s life-changing!

Make It Personal . . . Live It Out!

God’s Word is a shield that protects your heart, soul, and mind from fear, lies, doubt, and temptation. As you read, be intentional. Personally embrace a lesson or instruction each day. Allow God’s Word to paint images of truth that counteract falsehood. Memorize and take ownership of his promises. Our Old Testament reading in
The One Year Bible
today includes Micah 6:8. In this verse, God gives us a template for living. I have it written on a plaque at my front door to remind me that the godly life is the good life. “He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the L
ORD
require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8,
NIV
).

One Year Bible Reading

Micah 5:1–7:20; Revelation 7:1-17; Psalm 135:1-21; Proverbs 30:5-6

December 17

Sweet Simplicity

     
Two things I ask of you, O L
ORD
;

          
do not refuse me before I die:

     
Keep falsehood and lies far from me;

          
give me neither poverty nor riches,

          
but give me only my daily bread.

     
Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you

          
and say, “Who is the L
ORD
?”

     
Or I may become poor and steal,

          
and so dishonor the name of my God.

Simple living is our topic today. Paul said, “Godliness with contentment is great gain” (1 Timothy 6:6,
NKJV
). This is an interesting proverb to ponder right before Christmas. For many, Christmas is anything but simple and we are far from contented. Busyness can be an excuse, a replacement and avoidance of authenticity. We fill our days so full we don’t have time to attend to the real and important. Simplicity takes discipline. It takes solitude and quietness before God. Wouldn’t it be sweet if we did return to the basics? Paul said, “I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content” (Philippians 4:11,
NKJV
). Contentment, you see, is first a choice and then it becomes a habit.

Let’s look at the simplicity of the birth of Jesus that very first Christmas. They were far from home, his mother was young. They were poor, shut out, homeless. And yet as we emotionally visit that humble little scene in the stable, it captures us. It has a majesty not found in palaces. There was joy and hope, and most of all God was near. Immanuel is the message; God with us. And when he is near, our hearts are full.

Make It Personal . . . Live It Out!

To
simplify
is “to render less complex, less embellished, more natural.” Although we love the bows and the glitter of Christmas, we can get lost in them. When the shepherds arrived in the stable to see the Savior, they didn’t feel underdressed. They came as they were. They had been invited and included in this holy event. All that attracted their attention was the beauty of Jesus.

Let’s Pray

Lord, please help me to slow down, refocus, and be thankful. Show me if my expectation of what needs to be done has cluttered what matters most. Help me rejoice today in the sweetness of simple things and quiet moments.

One Year Bible Reading

Nahum 1:1–3:19; Revelation 8:1-13; Psalm 136:1-26; Proverbs 30:7-9

December 18

Choice Words

     
Do not slander a servant to his master,

          
or he will curse you, and you will pay for it.

First of all, slander is mean. Can I say that again? Slander is mean. To slander is to speak or spread false information. It’s harmful to another’s reputation. It is to accuse someone unfairly.

Let’s apply this to two servants. First, to the waitress who serves you at a restaurant, and secondly, to the servants at your church.

1. The waitress: Have you ever seen people treat their waitress like dirt? I have. They’re impatient and demanding. If something is forgotten or not to their liking, they act like it’s the end of the world. They tip cheap and complain to the manager. This is bad behavior for anyone, but inexcusable for the child of God. Did you ever consider that maybe this is a weary single mom working a second job? Or maybe your waitress is new, or has a migraine, or is going through a rough divorce. Have you ever thought that maybe that waitress came across your path for you to bless her instead of her just serving you? Have you ever prayed about it?
   
2. I feel prompted to encourage you to be kind when speaking about those who serve at your church. Don’t ever think your ministry is the ministry of the critical tongue. Be kind when speaking about a Sunday school teacher or an usher or your pastor.
   

Make It Personal . . . Live It Out!

Our proverb today informs us that giving bad reports can backfire. The person we reported to might view us with contempt. My husband and I had a standing policy: “I can talk about my mamma, you can talk about your mamma. But you can’t talk about my mamma.” This does not mean we don’t ever discuss concerns. Silence isn’t always golden. It is the motive and method that are important. The right word, at the right time, in the right way can have the right result.

Let’s Pray

Dear Lord, help me to be careful and kind. Pointing out error doesn’t have to tear someone down. Help me to choose my words both carefully and kindly.

One Year Bible Reading

Habakkuk 1:1–3:19; Revelation 9:1-21; Psalm 137:1-9; Proverbs 30:10

December 19

Sober Words for Sober Times

     
There is a generation that curses its father,

     
And does not bless its mother.

     
There is a generation that is pure in its own eyes,

     
Yet is not washed from its filthiness.

     
There is a generation—oh, how lofty are their eyes!

     
And their eyelids are lifted up.

     
There is a generation whose teeth are like swords,

     
And whose fangs are like knives,

     
To devour the poor from off the earth,

     
And the needy from among men.

This describes a generation that has turned its back on God. At the risk of sounding too negative, I feel I must read 2 Timothy 3:1-7: “Know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! For of this sort are those who creep into households [through talk shows, books, magazines] and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts, always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth” (
NKJV
).

Sober words for sober times. For such a generation I believe nothing will change it but revival. Revival is sparked by repentance, made holy by the blood of Christ, fueled by the Word of God, and fanned into flame by the Holy Spirit.

Make It Personal . . . Live It Out!

Arrogance, rebellion, and foolishness are sometimes symptoms of youth. Certainly, there are dangerous trends drawing young people today. On the other hand, there are many young people who are looking for true purpose and passion for living. They can see that sin and addictions have devastated some of their friends. They are hungry for God and desire to have authentic faith. Let me challenge you. If you are young, the only way to fight unholy fire is with holy fire. Be courageous, solid, and sold out. If you are older, it’s time for revival in our own hearts. Will you pray? Will you join me, on our knees, praying that God will draw and restore and ignite a revival that will circle the world?

One Year Bible Reading

Zephaniah 1:1–3:20; Revelation 10:1-11; Psalm 138:1-8; Proverbs 30:11-14