“Drink water from your own cistern and fresh water from your own well.” (Proverbs 5:15)

This verse is talking about marriage, and it is the original plea from God to rekindle the flame of your marriage.  When you walked down the aisle, you both adored each other.  That doesn’t have to go away, and if it has, there is nothing stopping you from bringing it back.

Never stop dating your spouse.  Flirt with each other until your children roll their eyes at you.  Fall in love over and over and over again.  There is no better drink than the one from your own well.

“As a loving hind and a graceful doe, let her breasts satisfy you at all times; be exhilarated always with her love.” (Proverbs 5:19)

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

This Week’s Reading: Genesis 39-46; Psalm 5; Proverbs 5 This year, #Biblebites are looking at lessons from the history of the Old Testament.  Each week reads a section of history with a Psalm to meditate on and a dash of Proverbs to dwell upon.  If you would like a copy of the reading schedule, you can view it here: https://eastlandchristians.org/news-events/2024-vision

“In the morning, O LORD, You will hear my voice; in the morning, I will order my prayer to You and eagerly watch.” (Psalm 5:3)

If breakfast is the most important meal of the day… perhaps, the first prayer of the morning is the most important one you pray because it sets the tone for the rest of the day.

Begin your day with a prayer of thanks, hope, and petition for guidance and protection and then you can spend your whole day eagerly watching for God’s providence in your day.

Begin your day talking to the most important Person in your life, and everything else will be better for it.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

This Week’s Reading: Genesis 39-46; Psalm 5; Proverbs 5 This year, #Biblebites are looking at lessons from the history of the Old Testament.  Each week reads a section of history with a Psalm to meditate on and a dash of Proverbs to dwell upon.  If you would like a copy of the reading schedule, you can view it here: https://eastlandchristians.org/news-events/2024-vision

“Joseph remembered the dreams which he had about them…” (Genesis 42:9)

         It had been many, many years since Joseph had those dreams about his family bowing down to him (see Genesis 37:5-11).  A lot had happened, and much had changed in his life between God’s promise to him and its fulfillment.

         Don’t let time trick you into giving up on God’s promises.  It is tempting to confuse “not yet” with “not ever”.  God’s timing is always the right timing, but rarely is it our timing.  Don’t get impatient.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

This Week’s Reading: Genesis 39-46; Psalm 5; Proverbs 5 This year, #Biblebites are looking at lessons from the history of the Old Testament.  Each week reads a section of history with a Psalm to meditate on and a dash of Proverbs to dwell upon.  If you would like a copy of the reading schedule, you can view it here: https://eastlandchristians.org/news-events/2024-vision

“It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh a favorable answer.” (Genesis 41:16)

         A common theme in the life of Joseph is his deference to the power of God.  Joseph became known as the interpreter of dreams, but he always gave credit to God for that ability.

         It can never be overstated that what good we have opportunity to do only comes because God is the giver of every good and perfect gift (see James 1:17).  Others will see the good work; it is our job to give Him the credit.

“In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

This Week’s Reading: Genesis 39-46; Psalm 5; Proverbs 5 This year, #Biblebites are looking at lessons from the history of the Old Testament.  Each week reads a section of history with a Psalm to meditate on and a dash of Proverbs to dwell upon.  If you would like a copy of the reading schedule, you can view it here: https://eastlandchristians.org/news-events/2024-vision

“So, Joseph’s master took him and put him into the jail, the place where the king’s prisoners were confined, and he was there in the jail.” (Genesis 39:20)

         Joseph’s master was Potiphar, the captain of the Pharaoh’s bodyguard.  The jail for the king’s prisoners was located on his property (see Genesis 40:3).  That means that when Joseph was thrown in prison by Potiphar, Joseph went from running the house to being in jail on the same property.  How miserable that must have been!

         To be innocent and yet forced to see others enjoy the fruits of your labor… to hear the comings and goings of household servants who you once commanded… to be treated like a criminal by the same household that enjoyed its prosperity because of you… for years, Joseph endured injustice.  Life and people were not fair to him, but God did not forget Joseph, and eventually, the shame was replaced with honor.

         Life isn’t fair, but God is always good.  The world is full of evil and injustice, but trust in the kind intentions of the Lord and remain faithful.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

This Week’s Reading: Genesis 39-46; Psalm 5; Proverbs 5 This year, #Biblebites are looking at lessons from the history of the Old Testament.  Each week reads a section of history with a Psalm to meditate on and a dash of Proverbs to dwell upon.  If you would like a copy of the reading schedule, you can view it here: https://eastlandchristians.org/news-events/2024-vision

“Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life.” (Proverbs 4:23)

Your heart is a feral animal.  It will deceive you, jump to conclusions, and want things that it shouldn’t.  If you let it take the wheel, it will destroy your life.

But it is also the doorway to joy, beauty, and a vibrant life… if you guide it with truth and Scripture.

Tame your heart and direct it toward that which is lovely, good, and holy (see Philippians 4:8), and your life will overflow with refreshing and pure hope.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

This Week’s Reading: Genesis 31-38; Psalm 4; Proverbs 4 This year, #Biblebites are looking at lessons from the history of the Old Testament.  Each week reads a section of history with a Psalm to meditate on and a dash of Proverbs to dwell upon.  If you would like a copy of the reading schedule, you can view it here: https://eastlandchristians.org/news-events/2024-vision

“The beginning of wisdom is: acquire wisdom” (Proverbs 4:7)

The wise man with all the answers started out as the fool who wasn’t afraid to ask questions.  Be brave enough to admit you don’t know everything.

Only the humble improve.

“Take hold of instruction; do not let go.  Guard her, for she is your life.” (Proverbs 4:13)

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

This Week’s Reading: Genesis 31-38; Psalm 4; Proverbs 4 This year, #Biblebites are looking at lessons from the history of the Old Testament.  Each week reads a section of history with a Psalm to meditate on and a dash of Proverbs to dwell upon.  If you would like a copy of the reading schedule, you can view it here: https://eastlandchristians.org/news-events/2024-vision

“Tremble, and do not sin; meditate in your heart upon your bed and be still.” (Psalm 4:4)

The context of this verse is that godliness is a special sort of lifestyle – a lifestyle not often found and, therefore, a path not often trod.

The Psalmist’s advice?  Even if you have to lay on your bed all night trembling and meditating so that you will avoid temptation – do it.  Choosing the right things is no easy task, especially when the wrong things can be so tantalizing.  Whatever awful things you wanted to say to another, whatever salacious deed you desired to do… better to grip the bedposts and meditate all night over why that isn’t the sort of person you are choosing to be than to satisfy the wicked tempter’s voice.

Ride the wave of whispering temptation and say to yourself over and over again in your heart, “I choose God.  I choose righteousness.  This too shall pass.”  And it will pass.  Satan can only tempt for so long before he must flee.

“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7)

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

This Week’s Reading: Genesis 31-38; Psalm 4; Proverbs 4 This year, #Biblebites are looking at lessons from the history of the Old Testament.  Each week reads a section of history with a Psalm to meditate on and a dash of Proverbs to dwell upon.  If you would like a copy of the reading schedule, you can view it here: https://eastlandchristians.org/news-events/2024-vision

“But know that the LORD has set apart the godly man for Himself; the LORD hears when I call to Him.” (Psalm 4:3)

Something becomes special when someone deems it of personal value to them.  That ‘special someone’ in your life is the person who you have set aside in your heart as a rare and precious jewel.

That is how God views the godly man.  You are His special and precious jewel, the thing that brings joy to His heart and on whom He pours particular affection.  That’s the sort of detail about the heavenly Maker that makes you want to get out of bed in the morning.

“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His own possession…” (1 Peter 2:9a)

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

This Week’s Reading: Genesis 31-38; Psalm 4; Proverbs 4 This year, #Biblebites are looking at lessons from the history of the Old Testament.  Each week reads a section of history with a Psalm to meditate on and a dash of Proverbs to dwell upon.  If you would like a copy of the reading schedule, you can view it here: https://eastlandchristians.org/news-events/2024-vision

“And Jacob deceived Laban the Aramean by not tell him that he was fleeing.” (Genesis 31:20)

         The history recorded in the Old Testament is not always pretty.  There are times when even the heroes of the Bible are singled out for their ungodly behavior.  Jacob’s life is a mixed bag of faith and failure… which should give us comfort as our own lives are often that same combination.

         Jacob lived a life of deception.  Trickery, manipulation, and cunning were tools in his tool belt from a very early age, and that lifestyle haunted him because a man who lives by the sword, dies by the sword (see Matthew 26:52).  Jacob deceived his father, his brother, and his father-in-law… but he also found himself raising children who deceived him, being deceived by his wives, and being tricked into believing that his son, Joseph, was dead (and mourning his loss for years).

         Sin always bears a consequence.  Lies always come back to haunt us.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

This Week’s Reading: Genesis 31-38; Psalm 4; Proverbs 4 This year, #Biblebites are looking at lessons from the history of the Old Testament.  Each week reads a section of history with a Psalm to meditate on and a dash of Proverbs to dwell upon.  If you would like a copy of the reading schedule, you can view it here: https://eastlandchristians.org/news-events/2024-vision