Follow along for 31 Days of Devotionals from the books of Psalms and Proverbs written by Pastor Ryan Binkley and Pastor Banks Babade.

31 Days of Wisdom and Worship – Day 16 – Ryan Binkley

“People may be pure in their own eyes, but the Lord examines their motives.”

Proverbs 16:2 NLT

Wisdom

In 1st Corinthians, Paul teaches us that if would judge ourselves properly that we we would not be judged.  Jesus told us to not judge others because when we do we are judging ourselves because we do the same thing that they do.  So, if we judge at all it needs to be directed primarily towards ourselves.  The reason we need to be reflective to our own actions, behavior, and motives is because generally we think that we are right and unfortunately many times we are incorrect.  Usually we think the other person is in the wrong or that their behavior justifies our own.  Even if we seem pure in our own eyes and in our perspective, let’s let the Lord examine your motives.  Allow Him to speak to you about your heart and motive.  If you do this is a healthy and not condemning way, you will walk in truth and humility.  This will allow the spirit of the Lord to move freely in your life.  I remember over a decade ago I had an employee that I really wanted to terminate and get off of my team. Their behavior was destructive as they regularly lost their temper with other associates in our company. I remember praying and praying about this individual and God would always tell me the good things about them.  It was interesting that as bad as they were the Lord was always telling me things that I could do to lead better instead of me just focusing on their weakness. He would highlight their diligence and work ethic and always challenge me to see the good in them.  Eventually we parted ways, but I learned more about myself and how to manage others during that time than in any other before or since. If we can see the good in others and ask the Lord to weigh our hearts, then we will be walking in humility and the truth and He will lead us discern ourselves and others properly.

 

Worship

 

“Don’t be upset because of evil people. Don’t be jealous of those who do wrong, because like the grass, they will soon dry up. Like green plants, they will soon die away. Trust the LORD and do good. Live in the land and feed on truth. Enjoy serving the LORD, and he will give you what you want. Depend on the LORD; trust him, and he will take care of you.”

Psalms 37:1-5 NCV

 

Lord, I give you my relationships today.  I give you my most difficult relationship today and I trust You to help me see what you see in them.  I pray blessing over my friends, family and even my enemies.  I pray that Your goodness would surround all of our lives and that we would all feed on Your truth.  May your ways surround me and may I hear your voice only.  I trust and depend on You for my future and my life.  Lead me in the way of truth and examine my heart.  May my ways and heart be pleasing to you.  I love you forever. Amen.

31 Days of Wisdom and Worship – Day 15 – Pastor Ryan Binkley

“A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare.

 

Gentle words are a tree of life; a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.

 

A hot-tempered person starts fights; a cool-tempered person stops them.”

Proverbs 15:1, 4, 18 NLT

 

Wisdom

 

I was with my brother on a night on the town in London when I was in my early 20’s right out of college.  My dad had taken us on trip to England and Scotland with a group of his business associates and we decided to head out one night after dinner and see the night life.  This is when I just rededicated my life to the Lord and I was just getting back into church.  We visited several places and nothing seemed to be that exciting and the world was becoming more and more less interesting to me.  Afterwards, we were on our way home and I stopped and got a slice of pizza from a street vendor.  My brother hailed a cab and as I was walking toward the cab a man came up to me and put a knife to my throat and demanded my pizza.  Now, at this time in my life I also had some anger issues I was overcoming and sometimes they would lead to fighting.  I quickly sized up this individual and as I was deciding what to do my life went into slow motion and slowly I could see what was going to happen next.  I saw us fighting, me getting away, but also me getting arrested in London late in the evening.  I knew we had a train ride to Scotland the next morning and a golf outing planned as well. Somehow, I knew that if I resisted and fought this person that I was going to miss that train and cause my dad to miss it as well.  Then in one split second, I said to the man, “here, have some pizza”.  Pizza saved the day. But it wasn’t just the pizza, it was also knowing when to have a cool temper.  I saw the other day in the news, where a man came out of a pizza parlor to two men who were fighting.  He stopped them and offered them pizza and all three of them took a slice and ate. The fighting was over and pizza won out again.  I wonder how many fights would be solved and arguments would stop if someone would say, “hey, let’s get some pizza”. Or something, anything, just to change the subject, lower the tone, and say everything is going to be ok.  A gentle answer deflects anger and is a tree of life.  I made it home that evening and took a great train ride to Scotland the next morning and played on one of the legendary golf courses in the history of the sport. I went home that night without pizza but came back home alive and with a great memory.  Maybe the pizza guy has found Christ since that day as well, I truly hope so.

 

Worship

 

O Lord, I give my life to you. I trust in you, my God! Do not let me be disgraced, or let my enemies rejoice in my defeat. No one who trusts in you will ever be disgraced, but disgrace comes to those who try to deceive others.”

Psalms 25:1-3 NLT

 

Father, I put my life and trust in Your hands.  Thank you for delivering me and not letting my enemies destroy me life.  None who trusts in you is disgraced and I thank you for saving me and keeping me all the days of my life.  Teach me Lord, to walk away from danger and to not allow trouble in my path.  Lead me into truth and in Your arms of protection.  I love You and give You my life today. Lead me in Your way forever and ever. Amen.

31 Days of Wisdom and Worship – Day 14 – Pastor Ryan Binkley

Wisdom and Worship – Day 14

Those who follow the right path fear the Lord; those who take the wrong path despise him.

The prudent understand where they are going, but fools deceive themselves.

There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death.”

Proverbs 14:2, 8, 12 NLT

 

Wisdom

 

All three of these comments in this chapter deal with the importance of following the right path for your life.  We all face different and difficult paths and it is not always easy to discern the correct way.  Our emotions and life experiences often get in the way of choosing the best way God has for our lives.  I have always been taught that there are some decisions that are against God’s will, some that are absolutely God’s will, and some that are His permissive will.  Obviously, some things are more important than others and some things God has a high interest in and others things are less relevant.  For example, I don’t care which tennis shoes my child decides to put on for the day, nor whether he plays with a puzzle or a board game, but I do care which friend they spend the day with or what movie they are going to watch.  As we get older, there are some things that have even greater importance such as where you decide to move, what college to go to, who to marry, where to work, etc…and in these decisions I believe God has a high interest in helping you follow the right path.  I believe that we show “fear” and “reverence” to the Lord by recognizing His will and desire for our lives and being willing to submit to His plan and leading. When we do, His path will become our path and our direction will become clearer and clearer.  Sometimes the wrong path seems right at first, so always take your time, get advice, and pray.  When we submit to God’s plan in this manner, you will understand where you are going and God’s perfect plan for you will be realized.

 

Worship

 

“The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need. He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name.”

Psalms 23:1-3 NLT

 

Father, I thank you for the rest that I need today and for bringing me peace in my life.  I ask you to restore and strengthen any weak area of my life and forgive me of my sins.  Renew me today, Lord and I will be strong. Walk with me and lead me along the right paths of life and I will bring honor to your name.  I love you. Thank you for restoring, strengthening, and guiding me.  Amen.