Daily Devotional
               Betty Miller shares her daily devotionals which are based on the book of Proverbs in the Bible.   

  The Wisdom of God

Verses for the Day:

Proverbs 12:25-26(KJV):
25 Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad.
26 The righteous is more excellent than his neighbour: but the way of the wicked seduceth them.

Thoughts for the Day:

In the book of Proverbs these scriptures show us how goodness affects others in a positive way. Wickedness always leads to destruction, while righteousness edifies and builds up. Verse 25 gives us instruction on how to help someone who is depressed by giving them an encouraging word. Many people today are "stooped down" with the weight of the world on them. As Christians, we should not be numbered in that lot.  We should ask God daily to fill us with His love and joy so that we rise above whatever pressures we feel from our circumstances. We can always give others a lift if we are walking in the spirit, as we will have the Lord's love and strength.  Just smiling at people and giving them a kind word can make a difference in someone's life.  I recall an incidence when I was checking out in a grocery store line, and I simply thanked the clerk and said, "God bless you and have a good day."  Tears came to her eyes and she replied, "Thank you so much, that is the nicest thing that anybody has said to me all day."  We may never know how a simple and loving word makes someone glad, just as this scripture says.

Verse 26 tells us that the consistently righteous man will live his life in such a way that he will be a good example to his neighbor, and by his actions he will be able to guide his neighbor. On the other hand, the wicked man through his evil actions of seduction will cause others to go astray. Some neighborhoods will have one family that causes trouble for the rest of the people that live there. Many times they are trouble makers and try to stir up strife between the other neighbors over something they do not like.  We must pray for these kind of people and reach out and try to overcome evil with good. We can have a positive influence with Christ's help in our neighborhoods that can change the whole atmosphere of our community.

As Christians, we should not shirk our civil duties. Some Christians seem to think that we should not be a part of the world,  so they never become involved in any political or civic activities. If every Christian followed this reasoning it would leave the government and administrative jobs open for only sinners and immoral people to rule in our governments. This is not what the Lord meant when he told us to separate ourselves from the world.  Scripture is telling us that we are to separate from our worldly and unclean ways and that we are not to do the sinful things that those in this world practice.

2 Corinthians 6:17-18: "Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, 18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty."

We are called to be "salt" and "light" in the world. Salt causes food to taste better. It is also used as a preservative. When mixed with water it is a saline solution used for cleansing purposes. Salt also causes us to thirst so that we drink more water. It is essential to the human body (in the correct amount).  You can see the analogy here. True Christians will cause this world to have a better taste. Our Christian presence preserves this world and keeps it from completely rotting.   Our prayers are like water bringing cleansing to needed areas. A true Christian witness will cause those who do not know Christ to become thirsty and want to know more about our Lord. As Christians, we must share the words of the Bible as they are essential for this world to continue. Without the Word of God and His presence this world would be a total hell.  

Matthew 5:13-16:
13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

We do not want to be the kind of salt that is no longer salty, as that kind of Christian witness is worthless.  We are called to be the light in this dark world. If we are like the city on the hill, our witness cannot be hidden.  The Bible says, "...if I (Jesus) be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me." If we lift up Jesus, people will be drawn unto Him. Our light shines by the good deeds that we do.  We must not be Christians who just "talk the talk" but rather we must "walk the walk." This is how we shall bring glory to our Father in heaven.

John 12:32-36:
32 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.
33 This he said, signifying what death he should die.
34 The people answered him, We have heard out of the law that Christ abideth for ever: and how sayest thou, The Son of man must be lifted up? who is this Son of man?
35 Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth.
36 While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light.

Prayer for the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father, I do appreciate You, and I want my life to glorify you. Fill me today with Your Holy Spirit so that I might bring encouraging words to others.  Father, I have been down at times in my life and I am so grateful for my brothers and sisters in the Lord who came to me with faith and encouragement. They lifted me up, and today I want to lift them up.  You know each of them and exactly what they are going through at this time.  Bless them and encourage them and meet their needs even as You used them to meet my needs in the trying times of my life. May we all be good witnesses for You and never lose our saltiness.  Lord, shine on us that we may reflect Your glory. I ask this in the precious name of Jesus. Amen.