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Day 31
Day 31 | Small Acts of Obedience
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:
- Ask yourself this question and then act on it: How does Jesus want you to obediently follow him today?
PROVERBS 24
24 Do not envy the wicked,
do not desire their company;
2 for their hearts plot violence,
and their lips talk about making trouble.
Saying 21
3 By wisdom a house is built,
and through understanding it is established;
4 through knowledge its rooms are filled
with rare and beautiful treasures.
Saying 22
5 The wise prevail through great power,
and those who have knowledge muster their strength.
6 Surely you need guidance to wage war,
and victory is won through many advisers.
Saying 23
7 Wisdom is too high for fools;
in the assembly at the gate they must not open their mouths.
Saying 24
8 Whoever plots evil
will be known as a schemer.
9 The schemes of folly are sin,
and people detest a mocker.
Saying 25
10 If you falter in a time of trouble,
how small is your strength!
11 Rescue those being led away to death;
hold back those staggering toward slaughter.
12 If you say, “But we knew nothing about this,”
does not he who weighs the heart perceive it?
Does not he who guards your life know it?
Will he not repay everyone according to what they have done?
Saying 26
13 Eat honey, my son, for it is good;
honey from the comb is sweet to your taste.
14 Know also that wisdom is like honey for you:
If you find it, there is a future hope for you,
and your hope will not be cut off.
Saying 27
15 Do not lurk like a thief near the house of the righteous,
do not plunder their dwelling place;
16 for though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again,
but the wicked stumble when calamity strikes.
Saying 28
17 Do not gloat when your enemy falls;
when they stumble, do not let your heart rejoice,
18 or the Lord will see and disapprove
and turn his wrath away from them.
Saying 29
19 Do not fret because of evildoers
or be envious of the wicked,
20 for the evildoer has no future hope,
and the lamp of the wicked will be snuffed out.
Saying 30
21 Fear the Lord and the king, my son,
and do not join with rebellious officials,
22 for those two will send sudden destruction on them,
and who knows what calamities they can bring?
Further Sayings of the Wise
23 These also are sayings of the wise:
To show partiality in judging is not good:
24 Whoever says to the guilty, “You are innocent,”
will be cursed by peoples and denounced by nations.
25 But it will go well with those who convict the guilty,
and rich blessing will come on them.
26 An honest answer
is like a kiss on the lips.
27 Put your outdoor work in order
and get your fields ready;
after that, build your house.
28 Do not testify against your neighbor without cause—
would you use your lips to mislead?
29 Do not say, “I’ll do to them as they have done to me;
I’ll pay them back for what they did.”
30 I went past the field of a sluggard,
past the vineyard of someone who has no sense;
31 thorns had come up everywhere,
the ground was covered with weeds,
and the stone wall was in ruins.
32 I applied my heart to what I observed
and learned a lesson from what I saw:
33 A little sleep, a little slumber,
a little folding of the hands to rest—
34 and poverty will come on you like a thief
and scarcity like an armed man.
TRANSCRIPT
Goal: Small Acts of Obedience
The next step is a step of action. The goal today is to take a small step of obedience. The simplicity of what Jesus taught during his lifetime is frequently overlooked.
What men overcomplicate; Jesus makes simple. “Come, follow me.” That’s it. That is where a life of ministry, good works, and service begins. It begins with the following. Jesus does the calling.
Most men overthink this and as a result, make it more complicated. We frequently think we are looking for a calling like we look for an occupation or a career. This is not the case. In fact, it’s not a “calling” at all, Jesus is the one calling, it’s a “following” we seek. We are called only to follow.
This means our ministry does is not just another job. While there are people out there who do ministry as a profession, do not be confused, it’s not a job. Ministry is something done by the Spirit through us and is a way of life—it’s not a job at all. Ministry, in fact, is not even a title—it’s an activity. Just because someone is paid to do the work and bears the title of leader in a ministry, or in a volunteer role in a church, does not mean that they are the only ones that are ministers.
As God’s man we need to worry less about the ministry titles, we need to spend more time just being obedient. One step at a time and God will call and in the following, along the way, we may discover a title. Along the way of obedience, you will uncover passions, talents, abilities, gifts, that will be routinely used to advance his purposes through you to others. And as he does leverage them for kingdom purposes by, in, and through obedience.
Consider this question, How does Jesus want you to obediently follow him today?
Answer this answer that question today, and then act on it.
In fact, do this once every day this week and then continue it for the rest of your life and you’ll discover through the following how God is shaping and naming your calling. You’ll look back amazed at the ministry God accomplishes through you and you might even discover that others will give you titles along the way.
DEVO
Do not rejoice when your enemy falls,
and let not your heart be glad when he stumbles,
lest the Lord see it and be displeased,
and turn away his anger from him.—Proverbs 24:17-18
If you're like me, you might be catching moments of the NFL and NCAAF as we come toward the close of the season. Some games interest me, and others I don't care to watch. But then there are a couple of teams that you want to lose. For me, they're usually those big-budget top seed teams that seem to be in the playoffs every year, that prevent my team from having their moment of glory. You might even find them irritating to watch, and you may also wish evil on them. Penalities. Ejections. Injuries. But you have to pause when you read the words above. While this desire lives within, addressing it might be a good idea. You might just be celebrating your demise when God turns away his anger from him—to you.
DO THIS: Stop rejoicing when your enemy falls.
PRAY THIS: God, today, I pray for those who are my enemies. Use your justice to lead them back to you, as you did me.
Share That You Completed Today's Challenge
Following Jesus is hard sometimes
17 Do not gloat when your enemy falls;
when they stumble, do not let your heart rejoice,
18 or the Lord will see and disapprove
and turn his wrath away from them.
Right away these two convicted me.
“Don’t let you heart rejoice,”
How many times have I outwardly cheered let alone in my heart
Saying 29
19 Do not fret because of evildoers or be envious of the wicked, 20 for the evildoer has no future hope,
and the lamp of the wicked will be snuffed out.
Wants me to teach and show others how to keep their lamp from being snuffed out.
My act of obedience today is to apply John 13:34 to every interaction.
In my daily reading of scripture I intend to apply the learnings of something that convicts me – today it is:
29 Do not say, “I’ll do to them as they have done to me;
I’ll pay them back for what they did.”
How many times in my work or private life do we spend trying to get one over on a colleague or a neighbor. Meet them with love and if necessary walk away or turn the other cheek.
Excellent SS! Keep it going brother!
Verses 17 and 18 really struck me today as it’s very easy for me to gloat when my enemies fail. I need to pray for them as a good Christian man should.
Yep. Well said Todd! 👊🏼
A quick prayer for me to use throughout the day would be, Lord give me the right words to speak. I can say things without much thought or in an attempt to be funny. Those words are more likely to hurt someone else.
Saying 21
3 By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established;
4 through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures.
I think this is so true and is renewed in every generation. I think the treasures are the members of your family and it flows from you. House is who you are.
Lord, turn my heart towards you.
(2/21/21) Proverbs 23:7 The Passion Translation (TPT)
“For as he thinks within himself, so is he.”
What a person believes on the inside and what he says on the outside, doesn’t always line up.
(example: Biden tells us one thing before the election, and his does something different after the election. Trump told us what he would do before the election, and he did it.)
I like verse21 “Fear the Lord and the king, my son, and do not join with rebellious officials…” I need to make sure that I submit to authorities and not rebel against those God has put in charge.
in the present days of Covid – 19 this devotion advice is very needful
Saying 21, 22 and 26 talk about wisdom and when have wisdom, God provides. Wisdom helps me get through life and that is a feeling of comfort for me. The Holy Spirit has helped me many times and I will continue to ask him to lead, direct, encourage and comfort me. It takes prayer to do this and I am grateful that I have set this time to pray out loud to God every day.
“Ministry” is just following Christ daily.
It’s a daily activity of following the Lord’s calling!
11 Rescue those being led away to death;
When I read this passage I think of friends and family members that are so hard to reach/counsel. They put up a barrier and pretend everything is great. I can tell because that’s how I was, and sometimes still am. I pray for wisdom on how to reach these people I love before it is to late. I was once going down wrong paths that would end in certain destruction. The friends and mentors who were sent by God released my burdens and shame by helping me understand I was valuable.
You are valuable Kevin! 👊🏼
I have been continually drawn to the verses that talk about wisdom and the importance of it.
14 Know also that wisdom is like honey for you:
If you find it, there is a future hope for you,
and your hope will not be cut off.
Wisdom and understanding are reiterated over and over throughout the Bible. The more I read the Bible and attend bible studies and associate with Christian men, the more I learn. The more I understand and the more my accountability increases. All things that make me a better man, a better Christian and more in line with God’s will for me.
The simple act of being in His word daily and speaking with Him. I have not consistently been in prayer with Him, but looking to do that more consistently as I feel the call to go to Him in prayer.
To be a good spiritual leader
I still remember the day I decided to give my life to the Lord and follow his ways. I still struggle with when I sin I convict myself twice as hard. I know I won’t be prefect but I wanna try to do my beat every day. But reading this tonight help me realize just how great his live is for me and that all he wants me to do is keep following him. Confess my sins and build a better me and continue to follow him and spread the news of the holy word.
I thought at some point that my ministry was simply to follow the guidance of the Bible and fulfill it to the best of my abilities. Simple, right? Serve as somewhat of an example, first to youth, then to young married couples, then to young parents, then to men. But God has honed in on the youth for this season. So, though I thought I was done with the youth and moving to the next phase, God has placed me to shepherd the youth ministry for this season.
Today I have a Smile for everyone!
v 6 Surely you need guidance to wage war, and victory is won through many advisers.
This verse shows again the importance of having other strong Christian brothers to seek advice and perspective from. I have a strong Bible study group of men, but am still searching for 1-2 guys who are willing to be an accountability partner.
A calling has always been scary thinking that you must quit your job and giveaway everything you own. However, it’s much simpler, just be still, listen, open your heart and follow Jesus!
Tame you tongue,and have patience towards others
Meeting up with some guys from church, tonight. Still social distancing. Praying I can find someone to meet with on a regular basis.
Trust in me my son and praise the Lord, and I will lead the way.
Keep meeting up with fellow believers and strengthen those relationships.
Do not gloat when your enemy falls;
when they stumble, do not let your heart rejoice,
18 or the Lord will see and disapprove
and turn his wrath away from them.
After watching a past company fail after I left, there was a part of me that felt prideful of my involvement and that justice was served. However companies come and go but people are what is important to God and where my focus needs to be. Father help me to forgive.
May I continue to grow in wisdom and share that with those around me, filling those with the promised blessings of our Lord.
“I went past the field of a sluggard, past the vineyard of someone who has no sense; thorns had come up everywhere, the ground was covered with weeds, and the stone wall was in ruins.”
Proverbs 24:30-31
When asking myself the question, how does Jesus want me to follow Him today, verses 30 and 31 in today’s reading stood out to me. I am going to look for the weeds in my relationship with my wife and kids and work to remove them when found.
Verse 10 “If you fail under pressure your strength is too small” grabbed me. I’ve failed under pressure often saying or doing things that do not reflect the Jesus in me. The Holy Spirit convicts me powerfully in those instances and I immediately confess & repent. Yet I truly Purpose to put enough Jesus & God’s Word on me that more often Grace & Love come out. Philippians 4:13 describes the source of strength referred to in this passage.
Submit to me daily….. so simple but yet so hard
Verse 29
Nothing good ever comes out of trying to “pay back” someone for something they did to you. Yet, I still find myself struggling with this when I am hurt. It is only by giving it over to God and moving passed the hurt that I can have the healing I need.
I need God to help me handle the strong emotional response when I have been hurt and convict me when my thoughts turn toward “pay back“. I need Him to remind me of the grace He has granted me and the freedom I have through Him.
Leave the 99
“How does Jesus want me to obediently follow him today?” is such a great question! I am going to be conscious of this question daily, and journal what happens and where the Lord leads. Moving forward with expectation!
my mission must be marriage first. Lord help me to love and care for her well today.
Obedience = (Follow + Jesus). I like the fact that ministry is not necessarily a job or a title for everyone but rather an activity that is, living out our ministry by being indwelt by the Holy Spirit, following Jesus and being obedient. Like Dennis says, communicating with Jesus then one another is key.
I am convicted to share God’s Word through Jesus as Jesus disciple and ambassador of God, Jesus Word.
Haha Eric.
Seriously asking God daily how er can serve him, what a great way to go about our day. While we never know what the day brings, this is a great calming attitude yo start.
We definitely do over think ministry and put it on a pedestal. Thank you for helping simplify it and put it in a context that does not seem daunting to attempt.
I need to be more diligent in my motivation to do and start things that will only bring about good things and positive and healthy results in my life. I need to start and maintain a workout regimen and continue participating in the church activities I already participate in, but with an open heart and mind, so that He can speak to me through ANYONE, of any age.
I’m pursuing more ways to serve the Lord. I sponsor a Bible Study Club after school, but other than this, I’m kind of useless for the Lord. Maybe I should join a skeptic society to witness to atheists. I could start a Stoic Christian website. I’m making progress overcoming OCG, but must spend less time lesson planning and grading.
I was out of town on Friday and Saturday with my wife and got behind.
My wife wanted to check out some small shops today which is not my thing but I did it with a joyful attitude and that made her happy.
How does Jesus want me to obediently follow him today?
To Be Faithful… Honor His Gift of Ministry.
How does Jesus want you to obediently follow Him today? I feel he wants me to serve others when their need is presented to me today.
Wisdom is like honey. I could use a lot more honey!!
I agree, obedience, consistent obedience has a way of turning into Ministry.
To be humble …and the most recurring theme of Proverbs for me…Wisdom, to be wise….that is my step today towards obedience.
V10 if you falter in a time of trouble how small is your strength. Lord, help me be obedient to your call to lead our parish men’s ministry with passion and compassion. Amen.
Wisdom and knowledge for from God and those he has educated. Guys thank you for sharing this morning and the push to journeyman
Verses to remember:
14 Know also that wisdom is like honey for you: If you find it, there is a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.
28 Do not testify against your neighbor without cause—would you use your lips to mislead?
Live out Rom 12 in every aspect of my life.
Here’s one area of focus for me that I want to self-check every day.
Ephesians 6:4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord
You are an excellent dad. You got this!
Staying committed
Wisdom…. if you don’t have some… Get Some!
Vs 17 Do not rejoice when your enemy stumbles
This is a great verse, and points to Jesus on the Sermon on the Mount telling them to love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you
My call to action is to put others before myself, I’m concerned with my needs first and foremost, and I want to be more considerate of others
Still Struggle with motives in my head daily………..
Proverbs24:12 -If you say, “But we knew nothing about this,”
does not he who weighs the heart perceive it?
Does not he who guards your life know it?
Will he not repay everyone according to what they have done?
God is the One who knows the truth about the motives of the heart and the excuses for failing to do what is right.
Thanx for the encouragement
Praying for God’s best my life yours Gentlemen!!
I definitely overcomplicate God’s calling for my life. I assume what taking a leap of faith might result in and often, in doing so, I question God’s intention for my life. I know this is wrong. God wants me to start with small steps, and he will lead me to greater things, with time.
I thought and looked for a calling in my life, I know now that Jesus does the calling and I need just follow him and be obedient. Holy spirit please help me to recognize when Jesus is calling and help me to be obedient him.
v27 Put your outdoor work in order and get your fields ready after that, build your house. Makes me think about what I should be doing NOW. Pointing others around me to Jesus/God making sure they know what is at stake if they dont believe and accept Jesus as their lord and savior. Give me the courage lord to do this and help me to be obedient in doing this.
I must work on this today!!!
Most helpful challenge for me today. This is it period. Listen to and follow Jesus in obedience all day every day. I’ve walked with him for 44 years. This is the way walk in it. Don’t complicate it. Thanks Vince!
11 Rescue those being led away to death;
hold back those staggering toward slaughter.
As a disciple of Christ, I’m called to rescue and disciple them.
Go and help a friend in need.
“Come follow me”
A few acts of obedience God has called is to be in connection with him through reading his scripture and prayer. Over the past 31 days this challenge has proven fruit and a deeper relationship with Christ. A lot has spoken to me via finding true Wisdom and Knowledge.
Following Jesus on a daily basis has become a much greater priority in my life. It is now No longer just something I consider it is something I desire and want to do daily.
I have found that I dont always know how I am to follow Christ each day as I wake up. I can look at the day and try to figure out how it is going to go and then plan how to follow Him and that in fact works very often, but more often than not I am placed into a position or a circumstance that I did not anticipate. Its in this circumstance that I am led to do something for the Kingdom. Today is one of those days that can go in many different directions. I will wait today knowing He is going to place me where He wants to place me.
Bring it on!
Verse 27 ” Put your outdoor work in order and get your fields ready; then build your house.” I have some legal things to get in order, along with paperwork. Need to get it done this winter or the family will be in trouble, if I should die. Ministry activity – firm up next meeting with my two friends.
I really appreciate the practical perspective Vince offers regarding daily ministry. We will be engaging in ministry by following God’s leading in our lives.
This challenge is so important for us all. We strive to live like Jesus, perhaps the best way to do that is to live out each day performing small acts of ministry. Simple things like truly caring about others, showing forgiveness where most would not, or boldly speaking to your friends about your own relationship with Jesus. There are so many opportunities for ministry in our own lives. Men, let’s take this challenge and live it out every day!
I’m asking the Lord everyday now to help me wear my faith like a badge of honor for all to see. But obviously in humility so that the people around me know I am different. Be not of us this world . Lord, help me to live this DAILY for you.
Praying for the Lord’s guidance and direction.
Thank God I have finally listened and acted and have at least found part of what I needed to get from this process. I have been such an unsupportive and loving husband and today that stops. I will continually ask God what he wants me to do today and then listen. Now also to work on finding a brother to share this with so we both can continue to grow.
By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures.Proverbs 24:3-4
I think for me my act of obedience is to learn from the pattern of the PACT and PASS that we have been using. It’s helped me to recognize the Spirit as my Helper as together we slowly build up my house. By not following my Helper, I was overlooking things in the building process.
A small act of obedience today is being fully present with my wife at all times ⚡⚡⚡
Amen to that John. Way to call it out.
Thanks Brother!
Seeking wisdom and understanding has been a continual thread throughout these Proverbs the last month. I am learning about seeking wisdom and understanding in all things…
Wow! Between the devotional and lesson today something has been clearly shown. Do not be looking for a calling! Just follow Jesus! Another is that fundamentals are needed. Learn how to communicate with Jesus so we can communicate with each other. Increase our wisdom daily as we strive for righteousness!
Name it, wasnt he the guy who started the football trophy?
Follow Him. I love it, how simple is that. We follow him then everything else falls into place. What freedom in that.
I’ve always known that praying out loud is a real challenge for me, and it is the one area of being a Christ follower I struggle with the most. Thank you Jesus for friends and for this 35 day challenge. Help me make this a lifestyle for the rest of my life.
My ministry today is my son. He has been looking forward to working on a project with me today, so I get to spend time building into him today.
Love your enemy’s and be wise with your thoughts and decisions, for God knows your heart.
Verses 33 & 34 struck me. I’m finishing a 4 year stint on church council, 3 as chair. Truthfully I’m looking forward to ” a little sleep and a little slumber ” from those duties. The verses above tell me get on to a new ministry!
I have been “following” Jesus for the past year and I am overwhelmed with awe, shock, and amazement with all the doors that suddenly appear virtually out of nowhere right in front of me. As I serve others, I am receiving back way more than I deserve.
Seek wisdom in all you do, Find good advisors who can help you expand your alternatives and evaluate your choices. Do not be boastful in your victories, but keep a humble heart which pleases the Lord.
27 Put your outdoor work in order
and get your fields ready;
after that, build your house.
Preparation, direction, and obedience.
I have always been uncomfortable with the word “calling”. Thank you, Vince, for clarifying that I only need to follow Jesus.
Ok fellas I prayed about it, boldly asked how God wants me to obediently follow and I’m waiting for the answer.