Thought 275: Wow, What An Amazing Bible Story! from Ryan's devotional book series Thoughts

Thought 275

Wow, What An Amazing Bible Story!

      And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert. And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship, was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet.

       Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot. And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest?

       And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.

     The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth: In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth. And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man?

       Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.

     And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing. But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through he preached in all the cities, till he came to Caesarea. (Acts 8:26-40 KJV)

Did you catch the last two verses? The Spirit snatched Philip up. WO man! That is “time travel” in the Bible!

Thought 274: The Greatest Earth-Shaking Event from Ryan's devotional book series Thoughts

Thought 274

The Greatest Earth-Shaking Event

   Christ’s death literally shook the world and freedom came as the rocks were split!

         And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent; And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many. Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God.

Matthew 27:51-54 KJV

Thought 273: Wages from Ryan's devotional book series Thoughts

Thought 273

Wages

The wicked worketh a deceitful work: but to him that soweth righteousness shall be a sure reward.

As righteousness tendeth to life: so he that pursueth evil pursueth it to his own death.

They that are of a froward heart are abomination to the Lord: but such as are upright in their way are his delight.

Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished: but the seed of the righteous shall be delivered.

Proverbs 11:18-21 KJV

 

   What are your wages? A wicked man gets his wages; that is, his reputation, his life, his status, his “wealth,” his stuff—anything he wants!—through deception. . . . but the righteous, they reap a sure, long-lasting, permanent, guaranteed reward!

    Only the truly righteous attains life, but he who pursues evil goes to his death. What are you pursuing? Is it life: the righteous and blameless life with Jesus . . . or are you pursuing evil things: yourself (pride), money (mammon), health (self-preservation), or fun (personal happiness and peace)?

     The Lord detests—detests!—men of a perverse heart, but He delights in the righteous heart. David was a man “after God’s own heart.” He was a man of a righteous heart.

     The last verse of are text reveals the sobering truth: God will punish the wicked one day, but the righteous He will bless. Friend, where are you? What is your spiritual condition? Are you righteous and heading toward Heaven and its rewards or are you wicked and heading toward Hell?

“Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.”

–Matthew 7:13-14 KJV

Thought 272: Saved from the current from Ryan's devotional book series Thoughts

Thought 272

Saved from the current

       On one trip of my early outdoor ventures me and my Dad went with a friend and his dad on a canoe/camping trip. On this trip me and my friend tried seeing how far we could walk through the strong current of the water. Now the water was only about eighteen inches to two feet deep so how hard could it be? We started to wade out. Now our dads were with us too, but after wading a short distance the water was too much for me and I fell. I held onto the river bed with my hands trying not to be pulled away in the current and I couldn’t stand back up. My face was above the water but I had to keep a firm grip on the rocks on the river bed to keep from being pulled away.

         At just the right time, my Dad came to the rescue and pulled me back to the river’s edge were our campsite lay on the beach. Now my Dad probably doesn’t remember that time, but because I couldn’t swim at that time and the fear of that moment has stuck with me for a long time. God has helped me realize that my dad reflects my Heavenly Father. HE watches over me and pulls me up just when the temptation or the circumstance or the situation is too great for me to bear.

Here is a comforting note friend:

  God has promised us in the Scripture that we will never be tempted more than we can bear ( 1 Cor. 10:12&13); likewise I believe that God’s Word is true and He will never allow us to go through something that is too great for us. We cannot be defeated if we are humbly placing our trust in Him!

Thought 271: Falling Astray from Ryan's devotional book series Thoughts

Thought 271

Falling Astray

(Hebrews 4:1-13, Hebrews 5:11-14, and Hebrews 6:1-12)

        It is possible to leave the faith that one has in Jesus Christ, and many are leaving faith today. But there is hope! If you or someone you know has fallen astray, you can truly ‘renew vows’ and be welcomed back into His kingdom. The Prodigal Son is a classic example of falling away. But the Prodigal Son came back! And his father joyfully received him!

Call upon His name, and deny yourself daily,                           crucifying your flesh, to follow Jesus.

“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Romans 10:9-13 KJV

Thought 270: Found. . . .and named Angel from Ryan's devotional book series Thoughts

Thought 270

Found….and named Angel

   One day as I was going to get the mail, I found a stray cat. Now I strongly dislike cats, but this one was different. I brought it back to the house and fed it and played with it.  Shortly after doing all that I named it Angel.

     My Grandmother came over that day and saw how well me and my sister were getting along with the cat (which was still outside) and said that if Dad didn’t let us keep it that she would take it.  Well, Dad said no (we already had several pets) and a few days passed where I went outside and called “Here kitty, kitty” or “Angel” and the cat would come running from somewhere in the woods to me. In short, we never did get to keep the cat, but my Grandmother did take her. And the bond that used to have existed between myself and that cat is gone today when I visit: she avoids me and won’t come when I call her. Isn’t that how we are with God sometimes? We are following Him for a while, answering His every call, but then we get fed and placed in the comfortable indoors becoming cocky and prideful instead of humble and grateful.

   Are you still found . . . and named Angel and running to your lover at His every call? Or are you into Yourself and living in your found home?

Thought 269: Conviction from Ryan's devotional book series Thoughts

Thought 269

Conviction

     Convictions are an important component of your Christian faith. As you mature spiritually, you should develop convictions based on what you’ve learned in the Word of God. Today, examine your “convictions.” Re-evaluate them to see if there is opinion wrapped up in them or a strong Biblical foundation, having Christ as the chief cornerstone.

Thought 268: Extreme Delivery from Ryan's devotional book Thoughts

Thought 268

Extreme Delivery

      Do you struggle with the guilt of sins tormenting your mind? (I think we all have at times) If you do remember this: upon salvation Christ has “As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us (Psalm 103:12).” We need to do some extreme mailing and cast those condemnations from the devil away from us to the cross and recall that Christ’s blood to covers it all.

Thought 267: "Preparing for Rain" from Ryan's devotional book series Thoughts

Thought 267

 “Preparing for Rain”

   In the inspiring film, Facing the Giants, there is a scene where a godly older man tells a young, but struggling coach to prepare his “fields” for rain. I won’t recap the entire story, you can watch the excellent production to get that. The point that I want to make is this: are you preparing your fields for God to pour rain on the seed that you’ve planted and tilled to receive from Him? Are you laboring where God has called you to labor (historical and Biblical study, family, Biblically grounded goals, discipleship, or personal ministry [witnessing])?

    Remember, dear friend, to prepare for rain.

Thought 266: A Time for Everything from Ryan's devotional book series Thoughts

Thought 266

A  Time for Everything

    Wise old king Solomon said in Ecclesiastes chapter 3 that there is a time for everything. Everything! There is a time (season) to marry, a time to be single, a time to go to school, a time to rest, and a time to work, etc…

     There is a time and place to talk about sports and life, but there is also a time to talk about the Lord, His Truth and His ways.

Thought 265: How God Speaks versus How The Devil Speaks from Ryan's devotional book series Thougths

Thought 265

How God Speaks versus How The Devil Speaks

     God says give and Lucifer says take. Further, God often speaks in a small, still voice despite His vastness (few ever hear Him audibly); yet Satan rants, raves and condemns because of his smallness. God is love, a consuming fire, and the Light. God teaches abstinence, reserve, conviction, balance, stewardship, conduct and love. Next time you struggle with whether it is God or Satan speaking to you, examine the voice.

Thought 264: Commit it to the Lord from Ryan's devotional book series Thoughts

Thought 264

Commit it to the Lord

       Give God your regret, unrighteous motives, lies, gossip, and bitterness. Anything that is ungodly in your life should be turned over to Him—as the song says “surrender all!” Surrender it because you cannot pay the debt for your sin. You can only accept the gifts that God gives you, two of which are salvation and the power to walk in the light as He is in the light.

“Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.” Romans 6:12-13 KJV

Thought 263: Psalm 44 from Ryan's devotional book series Thoughts

Thought 263

Psalm 44

        We have heard with our ears, O God, our fathers have told us, what work thou didst in their days, in the times of old. How thou didst drive out the heathen with thy hand, and plantedst them; how thou didst afflict the people, and cast them out. For they got not the land in possession by their own sword, neither did their own arm save them: but thy right hand, and thine arm, and the light of thy countenance, because thou hadst a favour unto them. Thou art my King, O God: command deliverances for Jacob. Through thee will we push down our enemies: through thy name will we tread them under that rise up against us. For I will not trust in my bow, neither shall my sword save me. But thou hast saved us from our enemies, and hast put them to shame that hated us. In God we boast all the day long, and praise thy name for ever. Selah. But thou hast cast off, and put us to shame; and goest not forth with our armies. Thou makest us to turn back from the enemy: and they which hate us spoil for themselves. Thou hast given us like sheep appointed for meat; and hast scattered us among the heathen. Thou sellest thy people for nought, and dost not increase thy wealth by their price. Thou makest us a reproach to our neighbours, a scorn and a derision to them that are round about us. Thou makest us a byword among the heathen, a shaking of the head among the people. My confusion is continually before me, and the shame of my face hath covered me, For the voice of him that reproacheth and blasphemeth; by reason of the enemy and avenger. All this is come upon us; yet have we not forgotten thee, neither have we dealt falsely in thy covenant. Our heart is not turned back, neither have our steps declined from thy way; Though thou hast sore broken us in the place of dragons, and covered us with the shadow of death. If we have forgotten the name of our God, or stretched out our hands to a strange god; Shall not God search this out? for he knoweth the secrets of the heart. Yea, for thy sake are we killed all the day long; we are counted as sheep for the slaughter. Awake, why sleepest thou, O Lord? arise, cast us not off for ever. Wherefore hidest thou thy face, and forgettest our affliction and our oppression? For our soul is bowed down to the dust: our belly cleaveth unto the earth. Arise for our help, and redeem us for thy mercies' sake.

Psalm 44 KJV

Thought 262: Spiritual Chainmail & Persecution from Ryan's devotional book series Thoughts

Thought 262

Spiritual Chainmail & Persecution

“Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.” John 15:20 KJV

 

         Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

            Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

               But that ye also may know my affairs, and how I do, Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, shall make known to you all things: Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that ye might know our affairs, and that he might comfort your hearts. Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.   —Ephesians 6:10-24 KJV

Thought 261: How do you operate? from Ryan's devotional book series Thougths

Thought 261

How do you operate?

Do you operate in love or lust? If you operate in love you don’t you will be at peace, but if you operate in lust you will ravenously desire sinful things.

Thought 260: Do you love sleep? from Ryan's devotional book series Thoughts

Thought 260

Do you love sleep?

       Do you love sleep so much that it has become a sin because it keeps you from having a quiet time with God and your responsibilities to others. I’ll admit that I enjoy a good night’s rest, but if we love sleep the Bible warns that poverty will come like an armed bandit (Proverbs 24:33-34).

“How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep? Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man.”  Proverbs 6:9-11 KJV

“He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich. He that gathereth in summer is a wise son: but he that sleepeth in harvest is a son that causeth shame.” Proverbs 10:4-5 KJV

Thought 259: Love--you can's spend enough time on this topic from Ryan's devotional book series Thoughts

Thought 259

Love – you can’t spend enough time on this topic

 A changed life shows Christ’s love. His love is a firm love, yet merciful, forgiving and non-compromising love.

  Love is the key to forgiveness and true love of God and others fulfills all the commandments.

Read John 3:16-17 and all of 1 John.

Thought 258: Birth Control--a means of making man a god from Ryan's devotional book series Thoughts

Thought 258

Birth Control – a means of making man a god

     Birth control is just plain wrong. It is a form of abortion, and a slap in God’s face. That pill is used for “safe sex,” child “control” and for selfish pride. Those pills are used to take God’s GIFT OF CHILDREN!! Children are a blessing (Psalm 127:3-5, Matthew 18:10, Mark 10:14, Mark 9:37) yet if you have more than two you are thought of as strange today. God said to be fruitful and multiply. If we, as humans, are supposed to fill the earth then why do we keep taking matters into our own hands. A woman does not conceive by chance, because chance doesn’t exist with God.

 Man is not an animal, we are not supposed to propagate, rather populate BY GOD’S STANDARDS which means sex within marriage.

“Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth.  Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.” Psalms 127:3-5 KJV

God intends for Christians to desire large families. This is the desire that He placed in the Children of Israel and has historically been continued by Christians who love the Lord through the ages since our Lord’s ascension.

God’s ways bring multiplication, fruit and growth

Satan’s ways bring destruction, and death

Thought 257: Animal rights--Pshaw! from Ryan's devotional book series Thoughts

Thought 257

Animal rights—Pshaw!

         These days animals may have better rights people. Something is wacky here, God gave man dominion over the animals, which means we can eat them and use their “parts” for our clothing, handles, soap, etc… God’s Word tell us to eat mean and to use animals as beasts of burden. Sadly, however,  aborted children have fewer rights than the dog that is put in a sack and thrown into the river—the aborted children that are cut to tiny pieces in the womb or stabbed in the neck or has their brain sucked out or is born and set aside on a table to die of neglect is more important than an animal! Modern laws show the wicked condition of modern man. Only the Gospel can change the heart of the masses that made these laws and transform their conduct.

          May we all stop and petition the Lord about these wicked modern practices. And may we take a stand for children.

Thought 256: Have a hard heart? from Ryan's devotional book series Thoughts

Thought 256

Have a hard heart?

“A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.” Ezekiel 36:26 KJV

“Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.” Matthew 5:8 KJV

 

Read Matthew 13:1-23

 

Thought 255: A Royal Priesthood, a holy People from Ryan's devotional book series Thoughts

Thought 255

A Royal Priesthood, a holy People

Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. Colossians 3:12-15 KJV

Paul Harvey's If I Were the Devil

Check out this link to Paul Harvey's famous composition: If I were the Devil....

Thought 254: Do you serve with a servant's heart? from Ryan's devotional book series

Thought 254

Do you serve with a servant’s heart?

Read 1 Corinthians 13.

   A servant’s heart is a loving heart. Without love we are just resounding gongs or clanging symbols!

P Do you really love?

P Have you been loving like Christ loves?

If you haven’t been operating in love pray…

Admit, to the Father, that you have not been loving. Ask the Lord to forgive you and to teach you how to love like Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit. And ask the Lord to give you a “heart transplant”—a new heart full of His love to spill out on others.

Thought 253: Resist...and he will flee from Ryan's devotional book series Thoughts

Thought 253

Resist…and he will flee

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.”

1 Peter 5:8-9 NKJV

 

P Do you resist the devil? Or do you give in?

 

“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” James 4:7 KJV

Thought 252: Submissiveness from Ryan's devotional book series Thoughts

Thought 252

Submissiveness

Read Ephesians 5:21-6:9

    Submission is commanded by God. But God does not only tell women to be submissive to their husbands: children are to be submissive to their parents, slaves to their masters, masters to the Master (Jesus) and husbands to Christ. One further note on husbands, if a husband is truly living out this passage of Scripture, he is to live in such a manner that he follows the sacrificial example of Jesus which includes be willing to lay down his life for his wife, to cherish her, and to wash her in the water of the Word.

“Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.”  1 Peter 5:5 KJV (emphasis added)

Thought 251: Pride from Ryan's devotional book series Thoughts

Thought 251

Pride

  Porn, selfishness, gluttony, moral infidelity, etc…are all tied to pride directly. All sin is tied in some way shape or form to pride. In the very beginning of the Bible, we find Eve partaking of the fruit because she desired to be like God and have more “wisdom.” Satan tempted Eve with the same lie he believed!—that he could be superior to God: that he could be more knowledgeable, wise, or powerful than God. Rebellion is linked to the prideful heart as is every sin. The prideful thoughts of the heart work their way out in a man’s actions and words and earn him the accurate labels of liar, adulterer, murderer, slanderer, fornicator, etc…

If you seem to be constantly battling pride. First, confess your fault to God and perhaps a spiritual friend (it is not required to confess your sin to a friend, but it greatly increases the coming of victory over it [James 5:16]). Second, purpose to remain faithful despite the temptation. Third, memorize Scripture related your specific temptation and quote it when temptation comes. Jesus used this method to send o’ll Satan packing his bags. Fourth, be alert and keep your guard up for fresh or renewed attacks of the battle and repeat the previous steps as needed. Finally, remember to listen for the Holy Spirit to share your victories humbly when appropriate for godly testimony to fellow Christians and unbelievers.

Thought 250: Mrs. Thompson and Literature from Ryan's devotional book series Thoughts

Thought 250

Mrs. Thompson and Literature

   Mrs. Thompson was one of my High School DVD teachers. I remember watching the literature lectures that she gave and the continual reminder she gave us to learn from what we read. As we read The Scarlet Letter, I learned about the danger of hidden sin and how it eats a person up. As we read Silas Marner I again learned of the danger of secret sin and the selfish pride of Mr. Godfrey. And all through the various poems, short stories, and prose selections that were also required reading; I remember Mrs. Thompson giving us Scripture references to jot down in the margin while she faithfully showed us the good and bad in a poem—the false philosophies and the true.

   Mrs. Thompson was not a perfect teacher, no human save Jesus was, but she did give it her all. She continued to be faithful and instruct the High Schoolers under her care to pay attention to the Word of God and to really analyze literature through a Biblical lens. I am very thankful for what she taught me.

P Have you ever had someone teach you and encourage your Christian worldview?

P What are did you learn/were reminded of in today’s devotional thought?

Write it down here:

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Thought 249: Ever tried to lessen the pain of spankings? from Ryan's devotional book series Thoughts

Thought 249

Ever tried to lessen the pain of spankings?

  Have you ever tried to lessen the pain of spankings? I sure have! I remember one time I put on three pairs of sweatpants so that my spanking wouldn’t hurt. Long story short, my sin found me out and I still received that spanking—without the extra padding. In a similar manner, we get spiritual spankings from time to time. Scripture calls these “spankings” discipline or chastening and even declares that without them that we would be illegitimate spiritual children.

“And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.” Hebrews 12:5-11 KJV

Thought 248: Our Expectations from Ryan's devotional book series Thoughts

Thought 248

Our Expectations

    Are your expectations in line with the Word of God? In our modern culture, rationalism and humanism abound. Rationalism trusts the mind of its user—logic is its all-consuming idol. Humanism vaunts itself up as a form of atheism which contributes success to your actions and yours alone by saying that God had no role in helping or equipping you to accomplish or excel. Amidst a world full of scientific rationalists and self-confident humanists it is very easy to fall prey to their philosophies. Today, take some time to ask the Holy Spirit to help you to examine your heart for any false expectations you have and delve into the Word to learn what God’s proper expectations are for you.

Thought 247: Scripture from Ryan's devotional book series Thoughts

Thought 247

Scripture

“A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent.” Proverbs 28:20 KJV

Thought 246: Scripture from Ryan's devotional book series Thoughts

Thought 246

Scripture

“He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread: but he that followeth after vain persons shall have poverty enough.” Proverbs 28:19 KJV

Point to Ponder

"If our lives draw to themselves no reproach, they can not be right in the sight of God. A good name is more to be desired than great riches; but we must not sacrifice our fidelity to Christ in order to attain it. If we adhere strictly to the virtues which Christ enjoined, we shall find that the world has an evil name for every one of them. Earnest contention for his truth is called bigotry; loyalty to his ordinances is dubbed narrowness; strict conformity to the laws of purity is named puritanism; liberality is looked upon as an effort to court praise; piety is scorned as hypocrisy, and faith is regarded as fanaticism." —Four-Fold Gospel, Mcgarvey and Pendelton

Thought 245: Scripture from Ryan's devotional book series Thoughts

Thought 245

“Whoso keepeth the fig tree shall eat the fruit thereof: so he that waiteth on his master shall be honoured.” Proverbs 27:18 KJV