Daily Devotional for October 7, 2015
Proverbs 29
Scripture:
6 An evil man is snared by his own sin, but a righteous one can sing and be glad.
7 The righteous care about justice for the poor, but the wicked have no such concern.
8 Mockers stir up a city, but wise men turn away anger.
Observation:
Nuggets of wisdom are everywhere. The Book of Proverbs is full of them. Each chapter gives us plenty to chew on and challenge us. I am reminded of a lesson I often teach in leadership. We each carry two buckets into every situation and conversation. As leaders, we often have to deal with difficult or tense situations. When we approach those situations, one of those buckets is one full of water, and one is full of gasoline. I like to remind people to use the bucket of water in every situation. Verse 8 says, “mockers stir up a city,” or use the gas bucket, often igniting the fire.
The verse goes on to say, “But wise men turn away anger,” or use the bucket of water. In every situation and conversation, as Spirit-Empowered men, we must be led by the Spirit and consider our words carefully. Try your best to use your bucket of water to bring peace into every conversation or situation you encounter.
Application:
Personal Application: Be mindful of your communication and how you respond to others. Try your best to use a bucket of water and turn away anger.
Family Devotional: Read Proverbs 28 to your family. Ask them if any one statement stands out to them. Ask them why and how it will help them to live for Jesus. Pray with them.
Prayer:
Personal Prayer Focus: Ask God for the wisdom to respond to others in a way that honors Him.
Family Prayer Focus: Pray that your family will continue to be directed by and have a hunger for God’s Word.
Three-Year Reading Plan for Sunday, October 4 – Sunday, October 11:
Sunday, October 4: Psalm 62-63
Monday, October 5: Psalm 64-65
Tuesday, October 6: Proverbs 28
Wednesday, October 7: Proverbs 29
Thursday, October 8: Colossians 1
Friday, October 9: Colossians 2
Saturday, October 10: Colossians 3
Sunday, October 11: Colossians 4
—TOM GROOT is National Director of Men’s Ministry and Christian Education. Connect with Tom on Facebook or Twitter @TomGrootJr.
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise marked, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblicia, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com. The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™
Fire Bible® elements including all Articles, the Bible Reading Plan, selected black and white maps and charts as noted, Book Introductions and outlines, color maps and the Color Map Index, footnotes, Study Notes, Subject Index, Themefinder™Index are the property of Life Publishers International, Springfield, MO U.S.A. All rights reserved.