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Day 30
Day 30 | You've Always Had It
ACTIVITY
Continue:
- P.A.C.T.—Pray | Ask | Confess | Thank
- P.A.S.S.—Pray Prior | Author's Intent | Stop when Convicted | Share
Your Call To Act (C.T.A.) today is:
- Remember you are repurposed and ready for ministry because you are a subject of the Lord who now takes control of the life and the skill, talent, and abilities you have and will use them for His purposes not your purposes.
PROVERBS 23
23 When you sit to dine with a ruler,
note well what is before you,
2 and put a knife to your throat
if you are given to gluttony.
3 Do not crave his delicacies,
for that food is deceptive.
Saying 8
4 Do not wear yourself out to get rich;
do not trust your own cleverness.
5 Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone,
for they will surely sprout wings
and fly off to the sky like an eagle.
Saying 9
6 Do not eat the food of a begrudging host,
do not crave his delicacies;
7 for he is the kind of person
who is always thinking about the cost.
“Eat and drink,” he says to you,
but his heart is not with you.
8 You will vomit up the little you have eaten
and will have wasted your compliments.
Saying 10
9 Do not speak to fools,
for they will scorn your prudent words.
Saying 11
10 Do not move an ancient boundary stone
or encroach on the fields of the fatherless,
11 for their Defender is strong;
he will take up their case against you.
Saying 12
12 Apply your heart to instruction
and your ears to words of knowledge.
Saying 13
13 Do not withhold discipline from a child;
if you punish them with the rod, they will not die.
14 Punish them with the rod
and save them from death.
Saying 14
15 My son, if your heart is wise,
then my heart will be glad indeed;
16 my inmost being will rejoice
when your lips speak what is right.
Saying 15
17 Do not let your heart envy sinners,
but always be zealous for the fear of the Lord.
18 There is surely a future hope for you,
and your hope will not be cut off.
Saying 16
19 Listen, my son, and be wise,
and set your heart on the right path:
20 Do not join those who drink too much wine
or gorge themselves on meat,
21 for drunkards and gluttons become poor,
and drowsiness clothes them in rags.
Saying 17
22 Listen to your father, who gave you life,
and do not despise your mother when she is old.
23 Buy the truth and do not sell it—
wisdom, instruction and insight as well.
24 The father of a righteous child has great joy;
a man who fathers a wise son rejoices in him.
25 May your father and mother rejoice;
may she who gave you birth be joyful!
Saying 18
26 My son, give me your heart
and let your eyes delight in my ways,
27 for an adulterous woman is a deep pit,
and a wayward wife is a narrow well.
28 Like a bandit she lies in wait
and multiplies the unfaithful among men.
Saying 19
29 Who has woe? Who has sorrow?
Who has strife? Who has complaints?
Who has needless bruises? Who has bloodshot eyes?
30 Those who linger over wine,
who go to sample bowls of mixed wine.
31 Do not gaze at wine when it is red,
when it sparkles in the cup,
when it goes down smoothly!
32 In the end it bites like a snake
and poisons like a viper.
33 Your eyes will see strange sights,
and your mind will imagine confusing things.
34 You will be like one sleeping on the high seas,
lying on top of the rigging.
35 “They hit me,” you will say, “but I’m not hurt!
They beat me, but I don’t feel it!
When will I wake up
so I can find another drink?”
TRANSCRIPT
Goal: You have always had it—you are just repurposed
The one discipline I see men overcomplicate more than any other is this one - ministry. Simply because most think that ministry is something you do after you have a career or in place of a career. We hear about people going to “a mission field” as we assume the mission field is somewhere else, requires a ton o preparation, and that there are only a few that do it. And this is a severe misunderstanding we have that complicates the whole thing. Ministry is not something you do as a vocation (even though some do). It’s not something you do when you are prepared (in the Bible, few are prepared for it, and there are tons of examples). Ministry is not optional (everyone is required to do it, it’s a lordship requirement) So let’s agree from here on out you are a minister of Jesus. Accept this requirement and then discover how to do it.
DEVO
Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad, for the tree is known by its fruit.—Matthew 12:33
For as he thinks within himself, so he is.—Proverbs 23:7
Jesus, in the text above, is exposing the incongruency of the religious leaders by connecting their words and actions to their motive. He does this with a cause and effect analogy—healthy trees produce good fruit, and the unhealthy ones do not.
In the same way, the words and actions of a man reflect the heart of a man. Ralph Waldo Emerson once said it this way "Man becomes what he thinks about all day long." The outer man and his actions are the results of the inner man and his thoughts.
But being God's man does not mean that we focus only on the fruit of our lives. Far too often, men fall into the trap of trying to produce the right results while ignoring the importance of being the right man. The fruit of a man's life will always reflect his motivation (what's in his heart). Stop thinking only about trying to say and do the right things. Become the right man, carefully attending to your heart, and you will always produce spectacular results.
DO THIS: Focus on your heart and motive by taking an extended time to pray.
PRAY THIS: God, I want you to check my motive today. Test me and make sure my heart is pure.
Share That You Completed Today's Challenge
I feel ministry is wherever I am.
13 Do not withhold discipline from a child;
if you punish them with the rod, they will not die.
14 Punish them with the rod
and save them from death.
I’m a father of a toddler and I’m struggling with this verse. At what point will he understand I’m disciplining him not hitting him
Almost there Troy!
I am thankful that the Lord had put someone in my life over 10yrs ago that taught me to disciple other men. To this day I still do and love doing it.
V1 and V6 reiterate that we should always be wary of the motivations of who we eat with and not be distracted by their wealth and possessions.
v30 onward are in line with the goal I made in the 35 day challenge and the dangers of habitual alcohol.
Lots to convict me today.
v12 – Apply your heart to instruction and your ears to words of knowledge.
All the “nots”. Not after a career, not instead of a career and (wow) not optional.
And that is for EVERY Christ following believer!! Not just men, not the few.
I have always felt that my skills were to be applied in ministry – management, organization skills, and visionary abilities. At the same time I think I should be available for what is needed and pick up new skills as needed. We also shouldn’t forget our lives experiences.
Just focus on God. Your heart will be right and your fruit will be right; as is possible with me-every moment of everyday.
I like verse 19, ” Listen, my son, and be wise, and set your heart on the right path…” I need to continue to be wise and set my heart on God’s path for me, not my own path.
(2/20/21) Proverbs 22:20-21 The Passion Translation (TPT)
“Pay attention to these excellent sayings of three-fold things. For within My Words you will discover true and reliable revelation.”
[TPT footnote: The Hebrew can be “I have written excellent things,” “I have written three times,” “I have written you previously,” “You should copy these things three times.” Proverbs contain keys to understanding riddles and mysteries.]
I am learning that many of these proverbs are worth repeating three times. They need to become part my nature… my meditation… my everyday life…
Jas_3:8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
If our whole being, inside and out is in Christ, He tames the tongue
Saying 17 has meaning for me, verses 22, 23, 24, and 25.
Listen to our father, do not sell truth, wisdom, instruction or insight, the father of a righteous child has great joy and may our father and mother rejoice. What comfort to know that our father in heaven is always there for us and rejoices when we do things right
Ministry is a blessing when you do it. Yes it may stretch you, but it’s such a blessing. I know because it happened to me.
Saying – 4 Do not wear yourself out to get rich;
do not trust your own cleverness.
This is what I battled with a few years back while working second shift. I spent all the time away from my family and friends. I was making great money, but I was losing out on relationships. It was all good honest work, but in a toxic environment.
Saying 8
4 Do not wear yourself out to get rich;
do not trust your own cleverness.
For far too long, I had placed a premium on money. Whether it be trying to obtain it or using it to compare myself against others or letting it define my self worth. I am finally learning I am much more than a job title, my possessions or money. God loves me no matter what I have or don’t have!
I do not always feel like I have what it takes to do ministry outside of working. It is great to be reminded that we can do ministry right where we are and not have feel called to go somewhere or have it as our vocation.
I’m ready for what God has for me.
Prob 23:7 – “For as he thinks within himself, so he is.”
Vince – “The words and actions of a man reflect the heart of a man.”
I really appreciated the devotional today regarding a man’s heart. We can’t just be concerned about doing and saying the right things, that is only superficial. Instead, God wants our heart to follow after Him and by doing so, the words and actions will come naturally because of His goodness.
19 Listen, my son, and be wise, and set your heart on the right path
The first thing I do in the morning is devotions. It just starts my day faithfully. I am a better man if God everyday and there’s always progression to always achieve. I pray and the higher power tells me that this is the greatest way to do it to it. Now, throughout the day, I also have quiet time to get into the good word also. Its amazing the journey that he has been planning for us in these moments. I am so greatful.
Verse 13 Do not withhold discipline from a child;
if you punish them with the rod, they will not die.
I have a 11 year old stepson who is so disrespectful to his mom and myself. I know that God is reassuring me that I’m doing the right in disciplining him at the times he’s being disrespectful.
I think as gods children we should minister to others,the best way we can .The world would be a much better place
17 Do not let your heart envy sinners,
but always be zealous for the fear of the Lord.
18 There is surely a future hope for you,
and your hope will not be cut off.
This saying hits me hard. I can be so envious of the pleasures of sin, but then play the victim with the results of my sins. LORD, may I heed you words of wisdom and live the life that bears good fruit.
How do you follow your calling when someone in your life is always reminding you
of your mistakes , and they are always right . They start issues in your day that is hard to recover
from . How do you over come this?
If this person who reminds you of your mistakes is in close relationship to you and it is important to keep that relationship you need to ask that person why? What is their purpose to remind you of the past? If you have confessed these mistakes to God, you know that he does not remember them for He has removed them as far as the East is from the West. Ask this person how you can become better by reminding you of the past, because it is not working. Explain why it is not work and if they are open suggest what you want them to do and explain how that will help you with your calling. Praying for you Tom, thanks for sticking with this challenge.
The Holy Spirit indwelling in me and my witness is enough for me to minister to others. I will no longer declare with my mouth that I am not enough to minister for Jesus.
Saying 8
4 Do not wear yourself out to get rich;
do not trust your own cleverness.
5 Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone,
for they will surely sprout wings
and fly off to the sky like an eagle.
After day 29 , I was invited into 2 small Ministry programs, Imagine that, what a coincidence. Give God the Glory
A Carefully Examined Life might be a subtitle for this chapter. Consider intently how I spend my time. Invest in activity that brings only good fruit!
This has been a quick challenge although I’m a few days behind you all. I will continue to pray for direction and wisdom
22-25 for me
v26 “My son, give my your heart
and let your eyes delight in my ways”
Lord, I trust that when I give you my heart, you will re-purpose it , my skills, and my life for your Kingdom work and your glory. I pray you would guide me into that life!
sayings 10 & 12 spoke to me the loudest, don’t speak to fools, they will scorn you (reminds me of parenthood and stubborn children) and apply my heart to instruction and my ears to words of knowledge (reminds me of the attitude anyone SHOULD have in school, and I did have in college). I know that I am not trained enough to pursue a career in ministry, but my life can be ministry in and of itself if I just apply the lessons that the Holy Spirit has instilled in me to my life and live out the life that Jesus wants me to, bearing good fruit because the living water in flowing in my from the Vine.
Saying 18 stood out again as another warning against adulterous women. I think it would be neat to reorganize all the versus by topic. I would think the adultuerous women would be one of the biggest chapters of Proverbs.
12 Apply your heart to instruction
and your ears to words of knowledge.
I’ll check into ideas for serving the Lord. As Proverbs 30 says ants save up food in the summer, we should save/invest for retirement, emergencies, etc.
I can’t believe it’s day 30 already. I will continue to pray and ask our God to open my eyes to see what He wants me to do in ministry.
Blessings my brothers
“do not despise your mother when she is old.“
Word.
buy the truth and do not sell it.
12 Apply your heart to instruction
and your ears to words of knowledge.
15 My son, if your heart is wise,
then my heart will be glad indeed;
16 my inmost being will rejoice
when your lips speak what is right.
12 Apply your heart to instruction
and your ears to words of knowledge.
Even though I never went to college, I am self taught by doing a lot of reading from those who know and are educated. But God word gives the correct understanding of it all.
Verse 13
As a father of two daughters, with the oldest being 4, I had to stop and focus on this verse. It isn’t anything new, but it hits me every time I read it. Discipline is difficult but necessary. We don’t like it as adults, and my 4 year old definitely doesn’t like it. It is so necessary, though, because it allows us (and her) to understand boundaries and what is safe / acceptable. Without discipline, we would wander aimlessly, hurting ourselves and others. I have to pray daily that God gives me the guidance, patience, and words to help me properly discipline my daughter so she can grow to be confident and yet respectful.
17 Let not your heart envy sinners, but continue in the fear of the Lord all the day.
18 Surely there is a future, and your hope will not be cut off.
It’s hard not to be frustrated when the evil flourish, but we have a hope that is beyond this world. Someday, our struggles will be justified.
Verses that got my attention:
12 Apply your heart to instruction and your ears to words of knowledge.
17 Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always be zealous for the fear of the Lord.
I really like Saying #8 – Do not wear yourself out to get rich;
do not trust your own cleverness.
5 Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone,
for they will surely sprout wings
and fly off to the sky like an eagle.
As sometimes I have found myself looking away from the Lord and at the “possessions” of the world. But how true it is that they are so fleeting and never do give you the satisfaction you think they will once obtained. It’s only AFTER you get them that you realize it’s either not enough or wasn’t what you thought it would be! – Amen brother
Thank you Lord for freeing me from any temptation to drink. I have my thorns for sure, but I’m grateful the drink is not among them.
I agree that we are all on the mission field everyday and that we s/b involved in our local Church doing ministry in some way and anywhere God would have us to !! Thanx for this push !!
VS 17 “Let not your heart envy sinners”
I’ve experienced this many times, where I see friends without God in their lives do whatever they want. I remind myself of the emptiness of sin and the emptiness that they fill but are covering up with worldly pleasures
I’m trying to become more fit. Saying 16 convicted me today. I need to listen to the voice of God more when I am making my food choices.
16 my inmost being will rejoice
when your lips speak what is right.
This verse has meant a lot to me over the past year for various reasons. God is calling me to be used and be joyful in His wisdom! Praying for you brothers.
Verse 12 “Apply your heart to instruction and your ears to words of knowledge.” God is giving all of us this opportunity through Vince and the challenge we are all going through. Just what I need to get me doing the right things for God and myself.
Verses 17 & 18 Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always be zealous for the fear of the Lord. There is surely a future hope for you and your hope will not be cutoff.
I have walked that road and it has cost me much but gracious and loving is our Lord who’s open arms and warm embrace welcomes the wandering prodigal.
I have always used my profession as a ministry. It has always been a way to make money but the hearts I spoke to gave me a satisfaction like no other. This ministry is ending and I see how God is leading me to a new ministry. I do not yet know what this looks like but I know it will be challenging. Bring it on!
I know that God can always use me.
Day 30:
12 Apply your heart to instruction
and your ears to words of knowledge.
This is what we’ve been doing for a month! I’m thankful for you all supporting me in this challenge.
What gifts have you been given to do Kingdom work? Are you a good carpenter, welder, businessman, outdoorsman, IT, financial person, etc….? Like Vince said, you do not have to wait until a certain time to use these gifts! Start today and add to others lives! Be a blessing!
Where am I placing my focus/attention and efforts? Self-fulfillment reaps the opposite. Value what builds my trust in the giver of wisdom.
Philippians 2:3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves
Verses 17-20 spoke to me today. I have been envious of what I perceived as those who have more than me. It made me realize I have an invaluable treasure—a relationship with the Lord. I don’t know if those I envy do or not so I prayed for them. Please pray that I may be able to speak to them about God
I love this! How do we use the gifts and abilities we already have to glorify God?
Your question will be answered in the next couple of days. Thanks for thinking ahead. I am pumped you are thinking this way.
God repurposes that which was naturally given, and makes it supernatural for Kingdom purpose and influence!
Well said, brother!
Prov 23:4 Do not wear yourself out to get rich; do not trust your own cleverness.
This saying of the wise stopped me this morning. We can wear ourselves out trying to prepare to for ministry when we already have what we need much like trying to accumulate more wealth when God has already given us what we need. When the task of feeding the five thousand was in front of the disciples they told Jesus to send them away because they weren’t prepared but Jesus told them to bring the crowds to Him as they had all they needed. I have to remember that it’s not about what I bring but it’s what Jesus will bring through me!
Yes we can!!!
“Ministry is not optional (everyone is required to do it, it’s a lordship requirement) So let’s agree from here on out you are a minister of Jesus.” This was my conviction a few months after becoming a “real” Christian. Hearing it from Vince reinforces my conviction.
Be cautious with whom you surround yourself with, you may not know the true motives they may have. For only they and the Lord know their heart.
Give your heart to the Lord, so that your true desires in your heart are reflecting Gods glory and love on to others.
Day 30:
First of all I would like to say how proud I am of all you men doing this challenge! We have made it 1 month!!!! Everyday praying and reading the Bible. It is awesome to see and I thank you for your brotherhood!
Discipline is easy to be hard on ourselves with, we don’t want to mess it up, but I loved how it says “Don’t be afraid”. Discipline is a kingdom principle and parents who love their children will discipline them. We also need to give ourselves ip to be disciplined when we mess up and it is important to get Godly wisdom and instruction when we don’t know what to do.
“Don’t be afraid to correct your young ones; a spanking won’t kill them. A good spanking, in fact, might save them from something worse than death. Give yourselves to disciplined instruction; open your ears to tested knowledge.”
Proverbs 23:12-14 MSG
Agree with you Nick my brother in Christ!!
Proverbs 23:12 “Apply thine heart unto instruction, and thine ears to the words of knowledge.”
Let the desires of your heart be to learn, and in learning, accumulate knowledge. Listen to words of knowledge, turn on your understanding, and keep it in your heart.
Romans 11:29 “For God’s gifts and his call can never be withdrawn”. I prepared for vocational ministry in college and seminary 30 years ago and served as a youth minister then. We all are ministers not just church staff as we use the gifts God has given. Thank you Lord for calling me to teach your word, lead men to follow you, be a prayer warrior and lead my family. It was a struggle to leave Christian vocation: depression, feelings of failure and lostness. Praise the Lord the call is for life not just a job. Hope this is helpful to someone, I will serve the Lord all the days of my life. Who’s all in with me, brothers?
As a man with a history with alcohol, I found verses 30-35 very relatable. God gave me freedom from that great curse and so many blessings since. PTL!
Amen brother. Same here. In Jesus’ name I have been able to conquer that which has held me back for so long. satan WILL NOT have that power over us furthermore!
6-8 Do not eat with a stingy person for they will be calculating and not with you.
Repurposing made me think of Pinterest and all what used to be old junk and are now key pieces of decorations and furniture in a home. I may look bad and weathered, but God has a purpose for me.
I thank you lord for this new outlook. The wisdom in proverbs is amazing. If I quoted this to some people in my life, i better be full of the drink. But th ank you for saving me from my enemies. Help me to prepare for the mockers and those who seek to harm me.
v17-18 Do not envy sinners, but always be zealous for the fear of the lord. There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off. In this world with all the distractions there can be from the culture ( radio, tv ,social media, or own thoughts) we can get pulled into noticing what others have and get side tracked so easily in wanting what others have, let’s keep our eyes on the the real prize, our LORD.
Repurposed, what a wonderful thing to have happen to us.
And put a knife to your throat If you are a man of great appetite.
Proverbs 23:2. Hmm I suppose that’s one way to loose weight
Be wise to the ways of this life, there are many false prophets and sinners lurking to lead you astray. Stay sober and alert, aware of your surroundings and the evil that awaits those who let their guard down. “Trust in the lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding ; in all your ways submit to him and and he will make your paths straight.“ Proverbs 3:5,6
I need to reflect more on today’s reading and devotion. To find what it is really telling me.
It’s truly refreshing to hear and remember what we are all capable of. God’s ministry and working for his kingdom. The best government job ever! Benefits are out of this world!! Same rules and handbook for over 2000 years. Sign me up!!!