Today’s Verse: He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit. ~Proverbs 17:27 Most of us can probably recall a time when we wish we talked less and listened more. Speaking at the wrong time, speaking out of turn, speaking when we are enraged, and speaking before we know the facts has put many people in trouble. Our devotion this morning centers on the mark of a man of wisdom and understanding. It focuses on being careful with o

Today’s Verse: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; ~Ephesians 4:14 Strong winds can be dangerous. They are perilous to trees that are not deeply rooted, buildings that have weak foundations, and objects that are not properly anchored. These winds can also injure people who can be blown down by their strength. Strong winds ar

Today’s Verse: And when Jesus knew it, he saith unto them, Why reason ye, because ye have no bread? perceive ye not yet, neither understand? have ye your heart yet hardened? ~Mark 8:17 Discernment is the ability to make good judgment on a matter or subject. It is being able to take a set of facts and come to a reasonable and proper decision. A vital aspect of spiritual maturity is our ability to discern good from evil, good doctrine from bad doctrine, and what God is trying t

Today’s Verse: God hath delivered into your hands the princes of Midian, Oreb and Zeeb: and what was I able to do in comparison of you? Then their anger was abated toward him, when he had said that. ~Judges 8:3 How do you react when someone is unexpectedly angry with you and lets off a barrage of criticism, inflammatory language, and angry words? I think, sadly, most of us might tend to react in like kind. In those tense seconds after we have been verbally attacked, we must d

Today’s Verse: Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe. ~Philippians 3:1 Over the years, I have had the privilege of touring the worksites of several leading manufacturing, processing, or mechanical companies. These tours give a firsthand look at how products are developed or processed. Before each tour, the guide gave a “safety first” instruction that included hard hats, protective cloth

Today’s Verse: I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: ~Revelation 2:2 Revelation 2:1-7 is the record of a letter that the Lord had the Apostle John write to the church at Ephesus. God loves His churches, and He wants every local church and its members to have a long-term and deep-rooted impact where the church is planted.

Today’s Verse: And they put him in ward, that the mind of the Lord might be shewed them. ~Leviticus 24:12 It is always wise to know exactly what are you supposed to do and to do it right. It can be discouraging and devastating to execute a project and find out you did it wrong. This means you might have to redo the entire project, and you might have made jeopardized other people by doing something you did not completely think through. In our devotion this morning, we see a se

Today’s Verse: The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable: but the mouth of the wicked speaketh frowardness. ~Proverbs 10:32 Have you ever said something that you regretted saying? Do you find yourself wanting to be careful to say the right thing at the right time? Our devotion this morning exhorts us about knowing when it is appropriate for us to speak. Solomon said that “death and life are in the power of the tongue.” Let us consider this morning the importance of wa

Today’s Verse: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; ~Ephesians 4:14 Strong winds can be dangerous. They are perilous to trees that are not deeply rooted, buildings that have weak foundations, and objects that are not properly anchored. These winds can also injure people who can be blown down by its strength. Strong winds are

Today’s Verse: O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; ~Psalm 63:1 We have a Western proverb that says, “The early bird catches the worm.” In other words, the one who is first at something is the one who succeeds. It means that if you act early, you are most likely to do well. David was in a desolate place in his life literally, physically, and spiritually. He cried out

Today’s Verse: Then there went certain, and told David how the men were served. And he sent to meet them: for the men were greatly ashamed. And the king said, Tarry at Jericho until your beards be grown, and then return. ~1 Chronicles 19:5 Have you ever been a victim of some type of abuse, attack, or shameful treatment that left you in a state of emotional shambles? By this, I am referring to something that made you feel like withdrawing from all contact with people, the cons