Category: First Things First Devotional

Speak up for those who have no voice, for the justice of all who are dispossessed. Speak up, judge righteously, and defend the cause of the oppressed and needy. Proverbs 31:8-9 HCSB

My wife is a volunteer for A Woman’s Choice, an agency dedicated to helping women who are considering an abortion to make a wise choice to instead choose life. This organization is not only helping women to preserve life, it also helps them pursue educational goals and teaches them good parenting skills.

A Woman’s Choice serves as a voice for those who have no voice. They are speaking up for the unborn. There are many who do not seem to have a voice in our culture, including the homeless, those who are down and out, the destitute, the working poor, those who are afflicted or uneducated, immigrants, those in prison, minorities, senior adults, and those with handicaps. These words of wisdom from Solomon encourage us to speak up for those who need someone to take a stand for them. Too many times there are people who prey on people who have no voice and take advantage of them.

Challenge: What are you doing to take a stand to speak up for those who do not have a voice? Consider volunteering at a homeless shelter or with another ministry that is speaking up for those who have no voice. Pray for those who are less fortunate and need someone to be their advocate. Check out A Women’s Choice at www.awomanschoice.org.

Whoever speaks the truth declares what is right, but a false witness, deceit. There is one who speaks rashly, like a piercing sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue, only a moment. Proverbs 12:17-19 HCSB

Dr. James Dobson tells a story of a little boy who had ears that stuck out from the side of his head. This little boy came to Sunday School as a guest and one of the other boys made the comment, “Look, his ears look like Jeep fenders.” The boy laughed along with all the other boys, but he never returned to Sunday School.

It is good to speak the truth but not at the expense of hurting other people. The words the little boy said about the other little boy were spoken rashly. What was said was reckless and inconsiderate. Even though the ridiculed boy may have laughed, deep inside those words hurt like a piercing sword. Our words have the power and ability to hurt or to bring healing and encouragement. It is right to tell the truth, but sometimes it is best to remain silent.

Challenge: Be careful what you say. Too many times there are false and accusing words said about and to other people. Telling lies will always bring wrath and punishment. It is important to always tell the truth. God is Truth and truth will endure forever.

A gossip goes around revealing a secret, but a trustworthy person keeps a confidence. Proverbs 11:13 HCSB

One might assume that a church might be immune from gossip, but over my 40 years in ministry I have overheard far too much gossip. Just recently a man came to my office and told me that someone had said they had heard me say something and he wanted to know if it was true. I quickly told him that what he had heard was not the truth. He said he didn’t think it was true and wanted to go to the source and determine the truth. People often hear a portion of a conversation and then tell someone else, who then tells someone else, and before too long what is being told is not even close to what was originally said.

Gossip is defined as finding joy in spreading false information. Gossip always causes damage. It reveals secrets and harms reputations. Gossip can also cause an argument to intensify and get worse. Believers should eliminate gossip and walk away when they hear others gossiping. Those who habitually gossip seem to have a desire and hunger to get the latest news on others and then share it. Believers can help defuse and disarm those who like to gossip by refusing to listen.

Challenge: Think of specific ways you can take a stand against gossip. Are you enabling others to gossip when you eagerly listen to the latest gossip? Make a commit to eliminate and defuse gossip about others. Always make sure you have permission to share the truth from its source before repeating information.

Life and death are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit. Proverbs 18:21 HCSB

I usually look for ways to encourage others and build them up. My parents always said, “If you can not say something good about someone, then do not say anything at all.” There is a generous selection of cards in my office; birthday cards, anniversary cards, sympathy cards, words of encouragement cards, get well cards, and even ministry appreciation cards. I like to send cards, Facebook birthday messages, and text messages to bring a good word to encourage others. There are many who seem to look for the negative in others and never have anything positive to say.

When we hear the words “Life and Death,” they evoke visions and thoughts of what is vibrant and non-productive. The tongue has the power of good and bad; life and death. Fruit is what is produced by the tree or plant. Life and death are the fruits of the tongue. The tongue has the power to encourage and bring life to others, but it can also bring cruel words that tend to destroy and bring death to others.

Challenge: What fruit are you producing? Life or death? How are you using the power of your tongue for good or to harm those in your realm of influence? Use your tongue to bring positive words and encouragement to others.

The intelligent person restrains his words, and one who keeps a cool head is a man of understanding. Even a fool is considered wise when he keeps silent, discerning when he seals his lips. Proverbs 17:27 HCSB

At times when I have attended meetings, I have mentally decided it best not to say anything, knowing that my words would not benefit me or change the minds of those in the meeting. I do believe a person should share his thoughts and ideas, but in certain situations it is best to remain silent.

This proverb reminds us that one who is careful with his words and is even-tempered is one who is considered to be wise and have understanding. I have heard it said that sometimes people need to engage their minds before they open their mouths. Too many times in my life I have spoken too quickly and wished I could reach out and grab my words and take them back. A wise person thinks and reflects before he speaks. Sometimes the best response is to be silent.

Challenge: Pray and ask for wisdom. Ask God to give you patience and to help you think before you speak so you will not hurt someone. Look for a way today to use your words to affirm and encourage someone. Remember that sometimes it is best to be silent and say nothing, especially if your words will do more harm than good.

“If you are wise, you are wise for your own benefit; if you mock, you alone will bear the consequences.” Proverbs 9:12 HCSB

When a person exceeds the speed limit he can expect the consequences of getting a citation from the police. If someone fails to stop at a red light he may face the consequence of causing an accident. When a person makes unhealthy food choices and does not exercise, he can expect to be overweight and in poor health. When someone fails to take the medicine prescribed by a doctor he can expect to have the consequences of not getting well at all or becoming sick. There are positive or negative consequences for just about every action a person takes.

This verse clearly states that there are consequences for rejecting wisdom and making poor choices. Benefits will come to those who seek and find wisdom. Mocking wisdom will bring pain, suffering, and even death. There are competing voices in today’s culture that make recognizing and selecting wisdom a true challenge.

Challenge: You have a choice. Making wise choices will bring blessings. Making poor choices will bring negative consequences. Recognizing godly wisdom is a way to a blessed life on earth and eternal life with Christ in heaven.

“For the one who finds me finds life and obtains favor from the Lord, but the one who misses me harms himself, all who hate me love death.” Proverbs 8:35-36 HCSB

I went to the grocery store to shop for my 90 year old mother, who lives with us in our home. She had given me a specific list of items she wanted. As I made my way up and down the aisles, I visually scanned each shelf as I looked for just the right product. There it was, the package of breakfast croissants. I grabbed it and made my way to the next aisle. After searching for several minutes, I discovered they did not have the salad dressing my mother wanted. Selecting a different product, I headed to the check out. I felt like I had been on a scavenger hunt trying to find exactly what my mother desired.

People are searching for purpose and meaning in life. These Scriptures indicate that when anyone finds wisdom, he finds life and obtains favor from the Lord. When he fails to find wisdom, he harms himself. Death will be the natural consequence for those who reject wisdom and make poor choices.

Challenge: What are you looking for? Are you searching for wisdom? You will be sorry if you miss wisdom. Pray and ask God to give you wisdom just like King Solomon did.

With me are riches and honor, lasting wealth and righteousness. My fruit is better than solid gold, and my harvest than pure silver. I walk in the way of righteousness, along the paths of justice, giving wealth as an inheritance to those who love me, and filling their treasures. Proverbs 8:18-21 HCSB

Some preachers on television preach a “Prosperity Gospel.” Their message is, “Follow God and do what He says then you can expect to receive financial wealth and prosperity.” This is a false message. Many fine Christians are devoted to God and follow His ways but live in very poor conditions. God does not promise us material wealth. He provides us with an abundance of grace and forgiveness that will eventually give us the riches of abundant life here on earth and eternal life in heaven.

These verses certainly sound like a “Prosperity Gospel,” but every verse must be examined in light of all of the Scriptures. God’s Word is infallible and without error, so one must look at these verses in context with other verses to discern the true meaning. Wisdom leads a person away from selfishness and greed toward thinking of others and giving. As one honors and helps others, he will discover lasting wealth that is found in serving others. As a result, he forgets himself and follows the paths of righteousness and justice. Following God and making wise choices may lead to wealth and prosperity, but more importantly it will lead to a life filled with many blessings. As Christians, our greatest wealth is our relationship with Christ and the promise of forgiveness and eternal life that we will someday receive.

Challenge: Don’t believe the lies of the “Prosperity Gospel” preachers. Be wise and do what is right. It will lead to self-control of reckless spending and pave the way for financial security based on honest earnings. Wisdom is worth far more than material wealth.

The woman Folly is rowdy, she is gullible and knows nothing. She sits by the doorway of her house, on a seat at the highest point of the city, calling to those who pass by, who go straight ahead on their paths. “Whoever is inexperienced, enter here!” To the one who lacks sense, she says, “Stolen water is sweet, and bread eaten secretly is tasty!” Proverbs 9:13-17 HCSB

I can remember a time as a teenager a friend of mine asked me to hold his cigarette for him for a moment. While doing so he asked me, “Don’t you want to try it and see what smoking is like?” When I said, “No,” he responded, “Doesn’t it make you feel important?” to which I replied, “No.” He was tempting me and encouraging me to smoke. I can proudly say that I have never even tried to smoke. It is an activity that I have never had an interest in trying.

In contrast to wisdom, Folly is represented by a woman who is rowdy and gullible. A person who follows Folly instead of wisdom is one who knows nothing, is inexperienced, lacks sense, and enjoys stealing. A gullible soul can be described as empty-headed and lacking wisdom. There is no desire to gain wisdom. Folly calls out to those who are passing by trying to tempt them to follow her evil paths.

Challenge: The evil one consistently tries to tempt you. Folly will lead you down the path to destruction if you yield to her temptations. Pray for strength to stand strong in the face of the temptations the world throws your way.

Learn to be shrewd, you who are inexperienced; develop common sense, you who are foolish. Listen, for I speak of noble things, and what my lips say is right. For my mouth tells the truth, and wickedness is detestable to my lips. All the words of my mouth are righteous; none of them are deceptive or perverse. Proverbs 8:5-8 HCSB

When considering a new job, a natural question one might ask is, “ What benefits are offered to employees?” Many employers provide benefits such as health, vision, dental, life, and disability insurance, vacation time, sick leave, holiday pay, and retirement. The more benefits that are offered, the more attractive the job.

These verses list the benefits of wisdom: common sense, speaking noble things, lips that say what is right, a mouth that tells the truth, lips that detest wickedness, and words that are righteous, not deceptive. These are the benefits we receive from following God’s direction and guidance that can be found in His Word. Wisdom is portrayed as a woman that guides us and helps us to succeed if we will only follow her.

Challenge: When have you failed to use good judgment and do what was wise? We often make wrong choices, but God’s Word always offers us wisdom and direction. Follow God’s will for your life and you will find and experience many of the benefits of wisdom.