THROUGH THE BIBLE IN THREE YEARS

This program of daily devotions is designed to take you through the Bible in three years. It is our desire to help you gain a better general understanding of God's Word.

Please understand that in a study this brief, we will be concerned with only the major emphases and context of the Scriptures.

Each day a devotion for one or two chapters is posted, beginning with chapter one of Genesis and going through chapter twenty-two of Revelation. You are free to print each page as it appears. If you miss a day, you may contact us and request that devotion. Please send your request, along with $.50 (p&handling) for each page to:

Bruce McGee,Pastor
205 Adams
Columbia, LA 71418

We have a great friend in Gary Godard. He has set up an archive page. To view ALL the prior devotions by Scripture, just clik

HERE

Bro. Bruce's commentaries for the books of Genesis through 2Kings are
now available in hard copy for $7.50. Just mail your request for COMMENTARY ON (BOOK NAME) to the address above.

PROVERBS

CHAPTER 15

1 A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger. 2 The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.

When someone speaks angrily toward us, it is easy to retort unkindly. But the "wise" person will use "soft" answers, and speak kindy.

Using soft answers and speaking kindly is using knowledge rightly. Retorting angrily is pouring out foolishness.

Ah! How guilty I am! And how I wish I could call back words spoken in anger! But words spoken are like water running over the dam. They can never be called back. We can only apologize and try to do better next time.

"Man does not live by words alone, despite the fact that sometimes he has to eat them." ((Adlai Stevenson))

3 The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good. 4 A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.

One of my friends, a pastor, likes to jokingly end a conversation with a "good-bye" similar to this: "OK! See ya later. Just remember, God is WATCHING you!"

And God IS watching! He knows our every thought, and our every word.

A person who calls himself a Christian should speak with a "wholesome" tongue, and not be given to profanity. To utilize profanity is to pervert the spiritual contract we have with God.

5 A fool despiseth his father's instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent. 6 In the house of the righteous is much treasure: but in the revenues of the wicked is trouble.

As we are in our father's house, so shall we be in our own. If a child despises his father's instruction, he will fill his own life with trouble. Learning to be obedient to our earthly father helps to learn obedience to our Heavenly Father.

The "treasure" found in the house of one obedient to God is spiritual peace. Even the greatest amount of "revenues" from wicked behavior is not worth that peace.

7 The lips of the wise disperse knowledge: but the heart of the foolish doeth not so. 8 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright is his delight. 9 The way of the wicked is an abomination unto the LORD: but he loveth him that followeth after righteousness.

Good direction and counsel comes from those who speak out of love for God. Those who have no respect for God have no true direction and therefore, cannot share any.

Reading verse 8 I am reminded of Cain and Abel. Cain's sacrifice was not accepted by the Lord because Cain's heart was not right. He was trying to prove his self-worth by bringing works of his hands. Abel however, was truly trusting God for increase when he brought the first-born of his flock.

The action of the wicked is an ABOMINATION to God. The word for abomination is a word that means disgusting or abhorred.

In other words, God's mannerism toward those who don't surrender to Him is disgust; but His LOVE is poured out to those who trust Him and live for Him.

10 Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way: and he that hateth reproof shall die. 11 Hell and destruction are before the LORD: how much more then the hearts of the children of men?

Sin is wrong behavior. God wants to correct that behavior by getting us to surrender to Him and live according to His will.

When a person refuses to allow God to correct his sinful behavior, then he "shall die," or be SEPARATED from God.

God created all things - even hell. Hell is created for those who desire to be SEPARATED from God and His love. If God can create such a place, surely He knows the HEART of man!

12 A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him: neither will he go unto the wise.

The "scorner" is a person who makes faces at truth. When he is reproved, he makes fun of the reproof. This type of person will obviously not go to the "wise" for help because the "wise" speak TRUTH!

13 A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.

Feelings are a part of life. If you are happy, you show it; and if you are sad, it shows too. A "cheerful countenance" is not only a smiling face, but an attitude of desire to accomplish something. Sadness reduces the "spirit" of accomplishment.

Feelings are a part of life, but they don't have to RULE the life. Today, my dad had surgery to change his pacemaker. The old one no longer worked. It was a "dual lead" pacemaker which meant that there were two wires which carried current. One wire went to the heart & one wire went to the atrial artery. The one that went to the atrial artery no longer functioned. The doctor wanted to change the whole thing out. But the wire in the atrial artery had an occlusion which meant it was "grown into" the flesh. Pulling it out would tear the artery and cause a heart attack. The only choice left was to replace the pacemaker with a SINGLE LEAD. That's not going to HELP much.

But was Dad sad? NO! He was disappointed surely. But his determination was to go on with life as God had dictated. He wouldn't let himself become saddened and ruin his disposition.

How about you? When you face difficulties and are overly concerned, do you DETERMINE not to be sad?

Feelings are PART of life. But they shouldn't dictate to us how we live!

14 The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge: but the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness.

This verse really speaks to Christians. If indeed we are saved, washed in the blood of Christ, sealed in the Spirit of God, we should be LEARNING daily!

Our desire should be to know MORE about God so that we can BE what He wants. We should be DAILY seeking more understanding from God's Word.

Only the "foolish" feed themselves continually on worldly things.

15 All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast.

There are those who are in constant affliction. Old age is a constant affliction. So is being blind, lame, deaf, etc.

To LIVE allowing the affliction to rule the mind and spirit makes every day a grueling effort to survive.

However, those who determine within themselves to have a "merry heart" see things from a different perspective. They continually FEAST on life!!

16 Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith. 17 Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.

I may not have much, but I have GOD! I may be poor, but I have God's LOVE! I like it that way!!

"Great treasure" brings the difficulties of maintenance, accountability, options, credibility, etc.

It is better to have a LITTLE and have God and love than to have all the riches in the world.

That doesn't mean we can't have riches and still have God and love. God is love. And if we have God, the riches won't really matter. The difficulties of handling them are surpassed by the love of God in our lives.

8 A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.

Giving vent to a quick temper causes problems in getting along with others. Curbing temper will help to appease the strife others encounter.

19 The way of the slothful man is as an hedge of thorns: but the way of the righteous is made plain.

A lazy person will hide his work; but an industrious person will show his work clearly.

20 A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish man despiseth his mother.

Children who exhibit good behavior and godly mannerisms cause parents to rejoice.

Children who exhibit bad behavior and ungodly mannerisms do not appreciate all that parents have done in their behalf.

The responsibility for teaching is upon the parents. Ultimately though, behavior is a determination of the children. A child who refuses to respect and obey his parents exhibits despite for parental guidance and instruction.

21 Folly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom: but a man of understanding walketh uprightly.

Keep in mind that the word "folly" here is indicative of foolish behavior. Now, we must admit, there is some foolishness in all of us. But he that lives for foolishness exhibits the fact that he is "destitute of wisdom."

A man who loves God will not waste his life on foolishness.

22 Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellers they are established.

The absence of counsel before decisions causes problems. Problems can be avoided by seeking good advice from people who exhibit wisdom in their lives.

23 A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it!

The Bible teaches us that we should STUDY God's Word to show that we are "approved of God" (2Tim. 2:15) The Bible also teaches us that when we study God's Word, that our "Teacher" is not hidden from us. His teaching and instruction come clearly to mind as we live our lives (Isaiah 30:21)(John 14:26).

It is the WORD OF GOD that gives joy to our lives when we use it properly in conversation. It is a good "word spoken in due season."

Principles for decision making are found in the Bible. When we reiterate them in conversation with others it is the result of God working in our lives. THAT is GOOD!

24 The way of life is above to the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath. 25 The LORD will destroy the house of the proud: but he will establish the border of the widow.

The "way of life" is a road which is paved by Jesus. It is the road that the saved walk. Jesus Himself said that HE is "the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6).

The road to hell is paved with self. It is BELOW God's way. It is the way of the "proud," who seeks to please self and not God.

Take a lesson from the "widow." She tries to please others so that she will be well thought of, and cared for.

Living to please God means we are thought of in kindness by the Lord, and He cares for us.

26 The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD: but the words of the pure are pleasant words.

Even the THOUGHTS of those who do not surrender to God are abhorred by Him! But God loves the words of those who genuinely seek Him.

27 He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth gifts shall live.

How often have we seen those who take bribes cause problems for their own families!

The word "hateth" here means to count bribery as an ENEMY!

28 The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.

My dad always said we should be sure the motor of the brain is working before we engage the gear to the tongue.

The true heart of a saved person is to say what is consistent with God's Word. But those who care nothing for God will just say any old thing.

29 The LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.

Why does God not hear the prayers of the lost person? Because that person has willingly removed himself from God. He has refused to beg forgiveness and surrender his life to living for Christ.

But there IS a prayer that God will hear from the lost person!! "God FORGIVE ME! Lord, CHANGE me! Take my life, and let it be used for Your glory!"

God will hear that prayer!

30 The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart: and a good report maketh the bones fat.

My mother used to play a game with us. She would blindfold us and get us to do things in the house. "Sweep the floor," she would say. Or, "Wash the dishes."

It's hard to do those things when you are BLIND! When that blindfold comes off, it's a great JOY to see again!

When we surrender to Jesus, the "blindfold" of sin is taken away! We can see our sin in the way God sees it.

And it sure is a "good report" to know that Jesus forgives sin!!

31 The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise. 32 He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding.

Many people "hear" the "reproof of life." But this verse means to not only HEAR but also to RECEIVE. That person who RECEIVES God's reproof and begins to live for Christ is counted as WISE!

Now the person who REFUSES to hear God calling for repentance has no understanding of the soul's eternal value!

It is when we LISTEN to God with the intent to OBEY God, that we BEGIN to have true understanding!

And THAT thought brings us to the conclusion of this chapter.

33 The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.

It is having reverence for GOD that really gives us wisdom. And before one can be honored by living with God in eternity, he must willingly receive the "humility" of sin and beg God's forgiveness.

PLEASE CONTINUE IN BIBLE STUDY WITH US TOMORROW.