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A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken. – Proverbs 15:13

Daily Bible Reading “A Merry Heart” (Proverbs 15:12-22)

Posted on September 19, 2017 by Deborah H. Bateman

A Merry Heart

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Proverbs 15:12-22. As we read this Scripture in the book of Proverbs, we are reminded that a scoffer hates those who reprimand them: so they won’t seek counsel from those who are wise. We are also reminded that a merry heart makes a cheerful countenance: but the spirit is broken when there is sorrow in the heart.

The heart of those who have understanding seeks knowledge: but the mouth of fools feeds on foolishness.

All the days of the afflicted are evil: but those who have a merry heart have a continual feast.

It is better to have little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith.

It is better to have a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.

A wrathful person stirs up strife: but those who are slow to anger settle strife.

The way of the slothful person is like a hedge of thorns: but the way of the righteous person is made plain.

A wise person makes a glad father: but a foolish person despises their mother.

Foolishness is pleasure to those who are deprived of wisdom: but a person of understanding walks uprightly.

Without counsel commitments are dissatisfied: but in the multitude of counselors they are established.

Sometimes we have to work at making our heart merry with all the circumstances of life. Pain, sorrow, and turmoil in our lives will cause our heart to be heavy and weighed down with the cares of this world.

We need to spend time with the Lord and and His Word in order to refill our spirits. Life has a way of draining our energy sometimes. The only way for us to thrive is to continually fill our spirit with God’s love, joy, and peace. When our hearts are full of His love our face will reflect His love to those around us.

Daily Bible Reading:

Proverbs 15:12-22

12 A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him: neither will he go unto the wise.
13 A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.
14 The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge: but the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness.
15 All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast.
16 Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith.
17 Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.
18 A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.
19 The way of the slothful man is as an hedge of thorns: but the way of the righteous is made plain.
20 A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish man despiseth his mother.
21 Folly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom: but a man of understanding walketh uprightly.
22 Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.

Things to think about:

What does a scorner hate?
What does a merry heart do?
Have you ever noticed how joy or pain shows on someone’s face?
How can we refill our spirit with God’s love?

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

As we read the book of Proverbs there are so many lessons to learn. We thank You for Your love that fills our hearts with joy. If it weren’t for You in our lives, we would be empty. Fill us with Your love, Your joy, and Your peace. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Bible Verse to Journal or Memorize:

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Have a blessed day,

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A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger. – Proverbs 15:1

Daily Bible Reading “A Soft Answer” (Proverbs 15:1-11)

Posted on September 18, 2017 by Deborah H. Bateman

A Soft Answer

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Proverbs 15:1-11. In this Scripture, we are reminded that a soft answer turns away wrath: but a harsh word stirs up anger. Have you ever noticed how someone’s tone of voice can make a difference in how you respond to them?

The tongue of the wise uses knowledge for good: but the mouth of fools overflows with foolishness.

The eyes of the LORD are in every place, watching for good and evil.

A gentle tongue is a tree of life: but perverse speech crushes the spirit.

A fool despises their parent’s instruction: but those who heed correction show good judgment.

There is much treasure in the house of the righteous: but the profit of the wicked brings trouble.

The lips of the wise spread knowledge: but the heart of the foolish is not wise.

The LORD despises the sacrifice of the wicked: but He takes pleasure in the prayer of the righteous.

The way of the wicked is disgusting to the LORD: but He loves those who pursue righteousness.

Correction causes distress to those who abandon the way: those who hate reproof will die.

Hell and destruction are before the LORD: how much more the hearts of humans!

We are reminded again in this Scripture how our mouth can be used for good or for evil. In verse 1 we are told that a soft answer will help keep rage at bay, but offensive, hurtful words cause anger.

We need to learn to think before we speak. We also need to remember how it makes us feel when people use a harsh tone of voice or offensive language with us. We need to remember to do unto others as we would have them do to us.

Sometimes it is not what we say as much as how we say it. Our tone of voice can make a huge difference in how the message is received when we’re communicating with others.

I remember an incident that happened with my daughter’s dog that reminds me so much of this verse. One day, as I was arriving home, a thunderstorm was beginning to brew. I opened the car door to get out and about that time a big clap of thunder sounded. My daughter’s dog was deathly afraid of thunder so he jumped in my car and buried himself under the front seat. I couldn’t get him out for anything. I tried everything. I tried to pull him out. I hollered at him and told him he better get out of my car, but he wouldn’t budge.

I called my daughter and told her that she better come get her dog out of my car. It was hot, summertime weather; I couldn’t leave the dog in the car. I couldn’t leave the windows or doors open because it was about to rain.

She came over and with a sweet, tender voice, she spoke to the dog and he came right out from under the seat. I had been trying for thirty minutes or longer to persuade him to get out of the car, but I was using the wrong approach.

Here are a couple of quotes that I thought might help us remember to watch what we say and how we say it when dealing with others.

“Harsh words make no friends.”
“A spoonful of honey will catch more flies than a gallon of vinegar.”
“Honey is sweet, but the bee stings.”
“If you want to gather honey, don’t kick over the beehive.”

Daily Bible Reading:

Proverbs 15:1-11

1 A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.
2 The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.
3 The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.
4 A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.
5 A fool despiseth his father’s instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent.
6 In the house of the righteous is much treasure: but in the revenues of the wicked is trouble.
7 The lips of the wise disperse knowledge: but the heart of the foolish doeth not so.
8 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright is his delight.
9 The way of the wicked is an abomination unto the LORD: but he loveth him that followeth after righteousness.
10 Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way: and he that hateth reproof shall die.
11 Hell and destruction are before the LORD: how much more then the hearts of the children of men?

Things to think about:

What does a soft answer do?
What do we cause to happen when we use harsh words?
Are you bothered when other people speak to you in a harsh tone?
What other lessons can we learn from this Scripture?

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

As we read this Scripture in Proverbs we are reminded that a soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Help us to keep this in mind when dealing with others. Help us to treat others as we would have them treat us. Help us to put a guard over our mouth and use our words for good and not evil. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Bible Verse to Journal or Memorize:

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PS. Thank you for coming to DeborahHBateman.com to study the Bible with us. Please come back again tomorrow and invite your friends and family to join us for Bible Study.

Featured Book:

The Book of Esther: A Story of Love and Favor

Daily Bible Reading Series Book 2

by Deborah H. Bateman

About the book:

The Book of Esther: A Story of Love and Favor by Deborah H. Bateman is a Daily Bible Reading study of the book of Esther from the Old Testament of the Bible.

Get your copy now!

Have a blessed day,

Deborah

Daily Bible Reading “Wise Women” (Proverbs 14:1-14)

Posted on September 14, 2017 by Deborah H. Bateman

Wise Women

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Proverbs 14:1-14. In this Scripture, we are reminded that every wise woman builds her house: but a foolish woman tears her house down.

As women we can either build up our house and the people who live in our home or we can tear them down. Many times it is up to the woman to set the tone for the home. Haven’t you heard the saying, “If mama is happy then everybody is happy, and if mama isn’t happy then nobody is happy?” This statement is true in a lot of ways.

Many of the Scriptures in the book of Proverbs teach us how to discern the people we should hang around. It can help us to know who we should choose for our best friends.

Those who walk in uprightness fear the LORD: but those who are perverse in their ways despise Him.

A rod of pride is in the mouth of the foolish person: but the lips of the wise will preserve them.

Where no oxen are, the crib is clean: but much increase is by the strength of the ox.

A faithful witness will not lie: but a false witness will tell lies.

A scorner seeks wisdom, and doesn’t find it: but knowledge is easy to those who understand.

It is best to leave the presence of a foolish person, when you don’t perceive knowledge in their mouth.

The wisdom of the prudent person is to understand their way: but the folly of fools is deceit.

Foolish people mock sin: but the righteous person finds favor.

The heart knows its own bitterness; and a stranger does not inter-meddle with their joy.

The house of the wicked will be overthrown: but the sanctuary of the upright will flourish.

Verse 12 is one of my favorite verses from this passage of Scripture, “There is a way which seems right to a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” Sometimes we choose ways that seem right to us at the moment, but in the end they lead to destruction. We need to ask God for His leadership, guidance, and direction in our lives. Only He can help us to make the right choices.

Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful; and the end of that humor is heaviness.

The backslider in heart will be filled with their own ways: and a good person will satisfy themselves.

These Scriptures may also help us to see some of our own short comings. If you notice something in these Scriptures that you need help with, now would be a good time to pray and ask God to forgive you, and to help you do away with those things in your life.

Daily Bible Reading:

Proverbs 14:1-14

1 Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands.
2 He that walketh in his uprightness feareth the LORD: but he that is perverse in his ways despiseth him.
3 In the mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride: but the lips of the wise shall preserve them.
4 Where no oxen are, the crib is clean: but much increase is by the strength of the ox.
5 A faithful witness will not lie: but a false witness will utter lies.
6 A scorner seeketh wisdom, and findeth it not: but knowledge is easy unto him that understandeth.
7 Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceivest not in him the lips of knowledge.
8 The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way: but the folly of fools is deceit.
9 Fools make a mock at sin: but among the righteous there is favour.
10 The heart knoweth his own bitterness; and a stranger doth not intermeddle with his joy.
11 The house of the wicked shall be overthrown: but the tabernacle of the upright shall flourish.
12 There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
13 Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful; and the end of that mirth is heaviness.
14 The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways: and a good man shall be satisfied from himself.

Things to think about:

What are some ways that a good woman can build her house?
What are some characteristics of the foolish mentioned in this Scripture?
What are the characteristics of the wise mentioned in this Scripture?

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

As we read and study this Scripture in Proverbs help us to learn the difference between the wise person and the ways of those who are foolish. Give us discernment and help us to know who to associate with and who to avoid. Help us to make wise decisions. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Bible Verse to Journal or Memorize:

Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands.

– Proverbs 14:1

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PS. Thank you for coming to DeborahHBateman.com to study the Bible with us. Please come back again tomorrow and invite your friends and family to join us for Bible Study.

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This devotional would be great for either a personal daily devotions or group Bible studies, including small groups, and Sunday school classes. Each devotional contains a brief commentary by the author, the daily Bible Scripture, a prayer of the day, and several questions for personal reflection or group discussion.

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Have a blessed day,

Deborah

Daily Bible Reading “Who Are Your Friends” (Proverbs 13:13-25)

Posted on September 13, 2017 by Deborah H. Bateman

Who Are Your Friends

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Proverbs 13:13-25. This Scripture tell us that those who despise the word will be destroyed: but those who fear the commandment will be rewarded.

The instruction of the wise is a fountain of life, to separate one from the snares of death.

Good understanding gives favor: but the way of the faithless is hard.

Every prudent man deals with knowledge: but a fool displays his foolishness.

A wicked messenger falls into mischief: but a faithful ambassador brings health.

Poverty and shame will come to those who refuse instruction: but those who regard correction will be honored.

The desire accomplished is sweet to the soul: but fools detest departing from evil.

Those who associate with wise people will be wise: but a companion of fools will be destroyed.

Evil pursues sinners: but the righteous will be rewarded with good.

A good person leaves an inheritance to their children’s children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the righteous.

Much food is in the un-plowed ground of the poor: but there are those who are destroyed because of lack of judgment.

Those who spare the rod hate their children: but those who love their children discipline them.

The righteous eats until they are satisfied: but the belly of the wicked will be hungry.

We could almost do a lesson on each one of the verses in this Scripture. We’ve probably all heard the saying “Spare the rod, and spoil the child,” which is derived from verse 24.

We’ve also heard that a good man leaves an inheritance for his children and grandchildren.

The verse we will focus on in this passage is verse 20, “He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.”

Have you ever noticed this to be true in people that you know? I sure have. I have known people who hung around people who were wise and they were wise and made wise decisions as well.

But, I have also known people who seemed like they gravitated toward people who were foolish. They ended up destroying their lives because of the influence of those people and the bad decisions that they made.

We probably all know people like this or may even have people who are like this in our families. I’m not saying that we shouldn’t care about people who are foolish or that we shouldn’t try to help them, but they are not the ones we should choose as our best friends.

It is very important that we choose carefully the people who we are closest to and the ones we let influence our lives the most.

Daily Bible Reading:

Proverbs 13:13-25

13 Whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed: but he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded.
14 The law of the wise is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.
15 Good understanding giveth favour: but the way of transgressors is hard.
16 Every prudent man dealeth with knowledge: but a fool layeth open his folly.
17 A wicked messenger falleth into mischief: but a faithful ambassador is health.
18 Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuseth instruction: but he that regardeth reproof shall be honoured.
19 The desire accomplished is sweet to the soul: but it is abomination to fools to depart from evil.
20 He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.
21 Evil pursueth sinners: but to the righteous good shall be repayed.
22 A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children’s children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just.
23 Much food is in the tillage of the poor: but there is that is destroyed for want of judgment.
24 He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.
25 The righteous eateth to the satisfying of his soul: but the belly of the wicked shall want.

Things to think about:

Of these Scriptures, which is your favorite?
What are some of the topics we learn about or are reminded of in this Scripture?
How do the people we hang around with influence our lives?

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

As we read and study this Scripture in the book of Proverbs we learn many lessons for life. Help us to take these lessons to heart and apply them to our lives. Help us to realize that they were included in the Bible for a reason and that reason is to help us make better and wiser decisions in our lives. Help us to use the lessons we learn in Proverbs for our good and Your glory. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Bible Verse to Journal or Memorize:

He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.

– Proverbs 13:20

Christian Music Video: “Friends” – Michael W. Smith

PS. Thank you for coming to DeborahHBateman.com to study the Bible with us. Please come back again tomorrow and invite your friends and family to join us for Bible Study.

Featured Book:

God Is Love

by Deborah H. Bateman

About the book:

Get your copy now!

Have a blessed day,

Deborah