"Word of God Speak"

June 4, 2012 (Psalm 60; Proverbs 28-29; Romans 16)

From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:

Scripture: “Fools vent their anger, but the wise quietly hold it back.” Proverbs 29:11 NLT

Observation: Anger has led many people down pathways of sin they did not intend to walk upon. But Wisdom guides a person down the right path, the pathway of righteousness. Anger leads people to say things they really don’t mean, while wisdom guides us to speak the truth. Anger responds out of rage, while wisdom answers with love. Anger makes hasty decisions, while wisdom makes room for right judgment. Foolish people believe their anger must be vented, while the wise understand there is a time and place for all things. A fool’s voice must be heard, while the wise quietly hold their peace. It is better to be wise and quiet, than to be foolish and loud.

Application: Many times we find ourselves in positions that lead us to believe we must vent our anger. Something, or someone, just totally strikes us the wrong way and we feel our blood begin to boil. I was faced with such a situation just yesterday. Yet today, I am so thankful I quietly held back my anger. To have vented my anger would have accomplished nothing. In fact, had I vented my anger it quite possibly could have injured someone dear to me. Sometimes we must stand up and be heard, while other times it is best to just hold back and remain quiet. It is wisdom that guides us in these times. When you are faced with feelings of anger and you feel your blood begin to boil, give yourself a moment to hear from wisdom, she will not make a fool out of you.

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for this wonderful day and the blessings You have in store for me! Thank You for Your marvelous mercy and grace that provide and protect me every day. Help me listen to wisdom and give her a chance to guide me onto the pathway of righteousness. Strengthen me to quietly hold back my anger and listen to the voice of wisdom when I’m faced with upsetting situations. Protect me from being a fool, in Jesus name, Amen!

June 3, 2012 (Proverbs 25-27; Romans 15)

From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:

Scripture: “If the godly give in to the wicked, it’s like polluting a fountain or muddying a spring.” Proverbs 25:26 NLT

Observation: Solomon is speaking of the importance of standing strong in the Lord. At times we will suffer abuse and be ridiculed for our standard of living. We must remember the damage that will be done if we pollute ourselves with worldly living. The godly must choose to serve the Lord, whatever happens. We must be committed to conduct ourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, whatever happens. We must be determined to place our faith in Christ, put our hands to the plow, and not look back. The godly are springs of life that refresh the souls of men in a dry and weary desert land.

Application: When the godly give in to the wicked you get a scene much like many churches today. There is so much worldliness mixed in that you cannot tell where the world stops and the church begins. Rock concerts and Worship services are hard to tell apart these days. Most churches have more money invested in lights, cameras and entertainment equipment than anything else. Could it be that the godly have given in to the wicked? Could it be that the results we see today are caused from the godly giving in to the wicked? I sure think so. Our fountains are polluted and our springs are mud filled. The godly must repent and be cleansed from the wickedness of sin so that we can once again become the spring of refreshment the lost need and their souls long for.

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for Your mercy and grace that provide and protect me every day. Thank You for Your word that speaks truth to my soul. Thank You for the godly instruction that teaches me how to live in such troubled times. Strengthen me to become the man You desire for me to be. Keep me from compromising with the wicked and polluting the spring of life You have filled me with, in Jesus name, Amen!

June 2, 2012 (Proverbs 22-24; Romans 14)

From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:

Scripture: “Don’t fail to discipline your children. They won’t die if you spank them. Physical discipline may well save them from death* (*Sheol/Hell)” Proverbs 23:13-14 NLT

Observation: Solomon is giving wise advice about disciplining children. He is not advocating abuse or injury; he is simply teaching us how to really love our children. Our love for them should go deeper than mere words of correction at times. Physical discipline should be carried out in an orderly fashion, with a proper mindset of love and compassion. Physical discipline should not be administered while one is full of anger or rage. The purpose of physical discipline is to teach a child the painful consequences of sin. It is much better to discipline your children out of love for them, than to see a judge discipline then out of obligation to the law.

Application: The title of this post probably shocked some of you. But why did it shock you? Are you shocked because you believe physical discipline is wrong? Are you shocked because you have been conditioned to believe that physical correction is abuse? Our society today has no problem at all going against God’s word and discounting it as old fashioned and out dated. Yet the results of our way of disciplining are evident. Prisons are full of men, and women, that wish they could just be beat and sent home. But it’s too late for physical discipline now. In many cases the lack of physical correction administered to a child by their very own parents has led them to a more harsh punishment of prison. Physical discipline is designed to teach your children about the consequences of sin and save your children from the horrors of prison life. Listen to the word of God and love your children enough to save them!

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for this day. Thank You for Your mercy and grace that provide and protect me every day. Thank You for the physical discipline I received as a child from my parents, it indeed helped teach me the consequences of sin. Help me be wise when administering physical discipline. Help me know when it is genuinely needed and required. In Jesus name, Amen!

June 1, 2012 (Proverbs 19-21; Romans 13)

From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:

Scripture: “The night is almost gone; the day of Salvation will soon be here. So remove your dark deeds like dirty clothes, and put on the shining armor of right living.” Romans 13:12 NLT

Observation: Paul is making the case for holy living. The “night” is this present evil time, and the “day” refers to the time of Christ’s return. Time was running out then, and it’s still running out today. We cannot afford to live as if that day is not coming. In fact we must make the choice to live everyday as if today is the day Christ will return. We must remove the dark deeds of wickedness like dirty clothes and put on the shining armor of right living. The word of God is the standard that all Christians should look to for direction in right living. The world will accept and promote wickedness and call it good, but God’s word is clear about the life that God is well pleased with. Christians no longer belong to the night, they belong to the day!

Application: Holiness is not a word that I hear to often when Christians are being described these days. In fact, in many cases, holiness is treated as if it is some outdated, old fashion word that should be removed from the modern dictionary. Holiness certainly has been removed from modern society. Sadly, holiness has been removed from many churches. But for the true Christian, holiness is a standard that cannot be removed or cast aside. Committed followers of Christ rely on the holiness of God to produce in them a sweet smelling savor of victory over sin for the entire world to see. It’s holiness that will separate the sheep from the goats. It’s holiness that ensures us; we will see Him face to face. The shining armor of right living is pleasing to the Lord and we should all strive to please God to the very best of our ability.

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for this day. Thank You for Your mercy and grace that provide and protect me everyday. Thank You for Your strong right arm that fights for me and wins! Rise up and destroy my enemies’ plans! Give the order for me to be delivered and set free! I patiently wait with hopeful anticipation to see Your unfailing love for me revealed. I praise You in this storm and claim victory and deliverance, in Jesus name, Amen! 

May 31, 2012 (Proverbs 16-18; Romans 12)

From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:

Scripture: “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” Romans 12:2 NLT

Observation: Paul is speaking to the Christian brothers and sisters in Rome. He urges them not to conform to the behavior and customs of the world, but rather embrace the offer by God to transform their minds and the way they think. When the Holy Spirit enters into a person their thoughts and attitudes change. They are transformed, from what they once were, into something altogether new and wonderful. At the moment of salvation a process of learning begins and we receive the responsibility to grow in God’s grace by applying God’s truth in our daily lives. Then, and only then, can we learn what God’s good and pleasing and perfect will is for our lives.

Application: God’s holy word is alive and well even in our modern technology advanced society. His words of warning from thousands of years ago are still relevant and applicable in this present day. As Christians we must not copy or conform to the behavior and customs of this world, we need more than ever to be transformed. Our minds have been clouded with all sorts of heresy and our senses have been desensitized. Sin that was once committed in secret, has now been accepted and condoned openly by those who have copied the behavior and customs of this world. The behavior and customs of this world will lead you to utter ruin, yet there is hope. That hope is found in Jesus Christ and Him alone. By the power of the Holy Spirit, Jesus can transform you into a new person, by changing the way you think.

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for this day. Thank You for Your mercy and grace that provide and protect me every day. Thank You for Your word that teaches me and instructs me in the ways of righteousness. Transform the way I think, keep me from copying the behavior and customs of this world. Open my ears to hear what the Spirit says, open my eyes to see what the Spirit reveals, open my heart and mind to receive what the Spirit teaches, in Jesus name, Amen!

May 30, 2012 (Proverbs 13-15; Romans 11)

From the Life Journal of Adam Proux: 

Scripture: “For if God did not spare the original branches, He wont spare you either.” Romans 11:21 NLT

Observation: Paul is delivering a clear and sobering warning to the Gentile believers. A message that clearly teaches against once saved always saved regardless of conduct. The original branches were broken off because of unbelief, and the Gentiles have been grafted in by their belief in Christ. This is no reason to think highly of yourself if you are a Gentile, but rather fear what could happen. For if God did not spare the original branches, He wont spare you either. Notice how God is both kind and severe. He is severe toward those who disobeyed, but kind to you if you continue to trust in His kindness. But if you stop trusting, you also will be cut off. And if the people of Israel turn from their unbelief, they will be grafted in again, for God has the power to graft them back into the tree.

Application: Steadfast perseverance in the faith is not an option, it’s a must. Once we have been joined together with Christ in His death and resurrection we have entered into an eternal commitment. We have vowed to love Him and be faithful to Him as our Savior and our Lord. All of our love and faithfulness is due Him. We have surrendered our will and vowed to be obedient to His will for eternity. We have not entered into this covenant lightly. As instructed, we have counted the cost and we willingly lay down our lives at the feet of Christ. We have been grafted in, as wild olive branches, because of our faith in Christ, The Son of God. We realize our trust in Christ must remain; we cannot forsake Him and commit adultery with the world. For if God did not spare the original branches because of their unbelief and lack of trust, He wont spare us either.

Prayer: Lord, this is sobering truth when it comes to our eternal destiny. The world may teach us that “it’s all good” but Your word teaches us the truth. Thank You for Your truth. Thank You for the clear warnings in scripture You have provided for all to learn from. Thank You for Your amazing grace and mercy that provide and protect me every day. Teach me how to remain faithful, whatever happens. Thank You for teaching me how to trust in You. Thank You for proving I can. In Jesus name, Amen!

May 29, 2012 (Proverbs 10-12; Romans 10 )

From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:

Scripture: “I know what enthusiasm they have for God, but it is misdirected zeal.” Romans 10:2 NLT

Observation: Paul is speaking about the people of Israel, he knew first hand the zeal for God they had. After all, Paul was an Israelite himself. And he too once suffered from misdirected zeal. He persecuted the church and approved of many being killed for their faith in Jesus. Yet now he sends a letter to the Christians in Rome preparing them for his visit. He is making the case before the church that faith in Christ is how a person is made right with God, not by keeping the law. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved. He is not saying Christians should not have zeal for God, but rather teaching them how to properly direct their zeal in ways that please God.

Application: I believe these issues within the church still exist today. There are many who have a tremendous zeal for God, yet their zeal is misdirected. No matter what the subject, it can be taken to extremes either way. For example, in politics we have Republicans and Democrats. One is known to be “The Right” and the other “The Left”. And there are extreme views in both camps. Religion is the same in a lot of ways. Denominational walls and theological debates have separated and divided God’s people in many ways due to extreme views. Many times the importance of these views amount to very little. The root of what Paul was trying to say is this; the only way to be made right with God is through faith and belief in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. He is “The Way”, “The Truth”, and “The Life”, no one comes to the Father, except through Christ.

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for Your mercy and grace that provide and protect me every day. Thank You for Jesus that made the way for me to be right with You. Fill my soul with zeal for Your word and Your truth. Direct that zeal to be used in ways that are pleasing and acceptable to You, in Jesus name, Amen!