DATE POSTED: Wednesday, December 19, 2023, and I was blessed to be at The Landing at Seven Coves, Willis, TX when God inspired me to prepare this devotional. My Footnote will tell you how to find, read or listen to any and all episodes that I have shared over the years.

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE FROM THE New Living Translation (NLT) IS FOUND IN Proverbs 21:2-3; 13;

THE BIBLE TEXT IS: People may be right in their own eyes, but the Lord examines their heart.
The Lord is more pleased when we do what is right and just than when we offer him sacrifices.
Those who shut their ears to the cries of the poor will be ignored in their own time of need.

APPLICATION OF THE WORD: When trying to weigh in on our neighbors disputes they are sharing with us, we must always remember that there’s at least 3 conditions we must examine: His story; Her Story; and the Right story! Why is that? Because we all make our own decisions sound as good as we possibly can. However, we will make our spouse’s story sound as bad as possible, to help warrant why we are complaining and whining! But isn’t that the way it is when we stand before God in prayer also? Often we know the right thing we should say or do, and we probably know what the Bible wants us to say or do, so we really do know what pleases God. But why do we still choose to do what displeases our spouse, family and God? Friends, I would dare say that we are such people pleasers that we feel like we must say and do everything that will look right to those looking on, or sounds right when we tell our story. But for today, we are reminded what God said through His servant Solomon: ‘The Lord examines our heart, and our motives’. So shouldn’t we, as children of God, aim to please our Master and Lord at all times, seeing that it is He that we surrendered our lives to when we vowed to turn from this world and follow Him? Isn’t it Him that we aim to please, regardless of what the world thinks of us? In fact, we are further told in verse 3, that God is more concerned with our righteousness, honesty, and god-like attributes, than He is in the amount of time we spend at church, or the amount we give to the church and/or towards His earthly work. Notice the Scripture didn’t say that we stop giving and just act right! For the child of God, in right standing with Him, will also give, at a minimum, the percentage given as a guide in His Word. For we give from a heart of love and obedience to our God. But when we give from hearts that are not right with God, how can we possibly please Him and give according to the intent of His Word where He wants us to give freely and happily from hearts filled with God’s love and appreciation for all that He has given to us. When we do this, we will give without strings attached for what the church, or pastor, or leaders could do for us, we will give because of our love and appreciation for our God. Notice that we are also taught to help others, especially the poor. Of particular interest is that God doesn’t say that we help them only after we’ve checked out their intent to gain illegitimately from us. For God is our judge, and theirs. Friends, I was touched by the verse that reminded me that I will be treated much like how I treat others. No matter how much money we have, or don’t have, we will be treated much in the same way that we treat others. When we find excuses and apply man made logic to give, or not give to others, the same may apply to us at some stage down the road. Notice that God didn’t apply this to just those above a certain pay grade or with a minimum of ‘X’ number of dollars in the bank. If someone is begging for bread, give them half of yours. In that way, you won’t starve and nor would they! Friends, we may often wonder why our prayers are not answered. I believe that we have some great examples included in today’s Scripture that might cause us to wonder why God would help, especially if we act like He indicated in these verses today.

PRAYER BECAUSE OF THE IMPACT OF TODAY’S SCRIPTURE: Lord Jesus, I am reminded that here on earth, we can fool some of the people some of the time, but never all of the people all of the time! It’s unfortunate we fall back into our old ways more times than we care to remember, but thank You for reminding us that we absolutely can’t fool You, for You not only know our words and our deeds, but You know our very thoughts, and our motives behind why we do and say what we do. Your Word is clear on what You demand of us, and in the lessons taught to us today, we’ve been reminded that we can hide nothing from You. Lord, we want to be transparent in our actions and our intent. We know that we can hide nothing from You, now please teach us to never feel the need to hide our intentions from anyone else, and may there never be a reason why You can’t be glorified through us nor in our actions and speech. AMEN!

FOOTNOTE: There’s another page on my website, entitled ‘To Know Jesus’. If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading or listening to this devotional, please go to this page, or speak with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. Please allow someone to pray with you and give you help and/or encouragement as you begin or continue your walk with Jesus. If you would like to read more of my devotionals, or subscribe for a daily email containing each new devotional, please go online to NuggetsFromGodsWord.org. For my podcast, go online to Apple Podcasts or, using the Apple Podcast app, simply search for Nuggets From God’s Word to hear more episodes, or click ‘Follow’ to be notified of Podcast updates. Friends, please allow me to encourage you to find a church home nearby your home and attend as frequently as you could. Get to know God and allow His people to encourage and strengthen you in your Christian walk, while making every effort to be a blessing to them. God is at work among His people! Please consider growing in your faith, as you worship with fellow believers!