June 5 - When God Shows Up

June 5 - When God Shows Up

JUNE 5 - When God Shows Up 3-Year-Bible Reading: Proverbs 17:8–9; 1 Samuel 5 [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs%2017%3A8%E2%80%939%3B%201%20Samuel%205&version=WEB&interface=print] //3-Year Bible Devotional Book (Year Two) Available on Amazon [https://amzn.to/4pmHfWh] // ________________________________________ “A bribe is like a magic stone in the eyes of the one who gives it; wherever he turns he prospers. Whoever covers an offense seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates close friends.” — Proverbs 17:8–9 (ESV) “And when the people of Ashdod rose early the next day, behold, Dagon had fallen face downward on the ground before the ark of the Lord. So they took Dagon and set him up in his place again.” — 1 Samuel 5:3 (ESV) ________________________________________ Have you ever watched a situation completely flip overnight—like the underdog team beating the champion or the quiet kid getting the highest score on the test? That’s kind of what happened in 1 Samuel 5. The Philistines thought their idol, Dagon, was unbeatable until they placed the ark of God in his temple. The next morning, Dagon was facedown, like he was bowing to the true God! Meanwhile, Proverbs 17 reminds us of two things: people chase quick fixes (like bribes) to get ahead, but real success comes when we choose love over drama and gossip. When God shows up, like He did in the temple of Dagon, He reveals what really lasts—love, truth, and His power—not shortcuts, idols, or lies. It’s easy to rely on things like popularity, money, or even our own strength. But those things can fall flat fast. God wants us to trust Him, love people well, and let His power—not our plans—win the battles. ________________________________________ THINK ABOUT IT 1. False Idols Fall: What “idols” or distractions might be stealing your trust in God right now, like Dagon in 1 Samuel 5? 2. Love Over Drama: Proverbs says covering offenses brings love (Proverbs 17:9). How can you let go of gossip or grudges this week to protect friendships and show God’s love? 3. Trust His Power: How does seeing God’s power in the Bible help you trust Him with your problems today? ________________________________________ BOTTOM LINE When God shows up, idols fall, love wins, and His power changes everything. ________________________________________ PRAYER Heavenly Father, thank You for showing me that You are greater than anything I face. Help me to trust Your power instead of chasing shortcuts or holding onto things that can’t save me. Teach me to choose love over drama and to let You win the battles in my life. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

June 4 - When God Speaks

JUNE 4 - When God Speaks 3-Year-Bible Reading: Proverbs 17:6–7; Psalm 64; 1 Samuel 3–4 [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs%2017%3A6%E2%80%937%3B%20Psalm%2064%3B%201%20Samuel%203%E2%80%934&version=WEB&interface=print]// 3-Year Bible Devotional Book (Year Two) Available on Amazon [https://amzn.to/4pmHfWh] // ________________________________________ “Grandchildren are the crown of the aged, and the glory of children is their fathers. Fine speech is not becoming to a fool; still less is false speech to a prince.” — Proverbs 17:6–7 (ESV) “But God shoots his arrow at them; they are wounded suddenly. They are brought to ruin, with their own tongues turned against them.” — Psalm 64:7–8 (ESV) “And the Lord came and stood, calling as at other times, ‘Samuel! Samuel!’ And Samuel said, ‘Speak, for your servant hears.’” — 1 Samuel 3:10 (ESV) ________________________________________ Have you ever been in a noisy room where it was hard to hear someone calling your name? Life can feel like that sometimes—full of noise, distractions, and voices competing for our attention. In 1 Samuel 3, young Samuel heard God calling him in the middle of the night. At first, he didn’t even realize it was God! Meanwhile, Proverbs 17 reminds us that wise and truthful words are precious, while foolish or deceitful speech brings trouble. Psalm 64 shows us how God responds to those who use their words for harm—He sees and He acts. Sometimes we want God to speak, but our lives are so loud we can’t hear Him. Other times, we hear Him clearly but hesitate to respond. Samuel shows us the right attitude: “Speak, for your servant hears.” When God speaks—through His Word, in prayer, or through people He places in our lives—He wants us to listen and obey. ________________________________________ THINK ABOUT IT 1. God Is Speaking: How can you make space in your life to hear God’s voice, like Samuel did in 1 Samuel 3:10? 2. Words Matter: Proverbs 17:7 warns against false or foolish speech. How can your words today reflect wisdom and truth instead of gossip or negativity? 3. God Sees Injustice: Psalm 64 shows God’s response to harmful words and actions. How does knowing this help you trust Him when people speak against you or others unfairly? ________________________________________ BOTTOM LINE God is always speaking—make space to hear Him, respond with obedience, and let your words honor Him. ________________________________________ PRAYER Heavenly Father, thank You for speaking through Your Word and guiding my life. Help me to be still and listen when You call, to use my words wisely, and to trust You in every situation. Teach me to respond like Samuel, ready to obey Your voice. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

June 3 - God Sees and God Answers

JUNE 3 - God Sees and God Answers 3-Year-Bible Reading: Proverbs 17:5; 1 Samuel 1–2 [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs%2017%3A5%3B%201%20Samuel%201%E2%80%932&version=WEB&interface=print] //3-Year Bible Devotional Book (Year Two) Available on Amazon [https://amzn.to/4pmHfWh] // ________________________________________ “Whoever mocks the poor insults his Maker; he who is glad at calamity will not go unpunished.” — Proverbs 17:5 (ESV) “She was deeply distressed and prayed to the Lord and wept bitterly. And she vowed a vow and said, ‘O Lord of hosts, if you will indeed look on the affliction of your servant and remember me… I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life.’” — 1 Samuel 1:10–11 (ESV) “And Hannah prayed and said, ‘My heart exults in the Lord; my strength is exalted in the Lord.’” — 1 Samuel 2:1 (ESV) ________________________________________ Have you ever had a prayer that felt like it was taking forever to be answered? Hannah did. She longed for a child for years, and in her deep pain, she poured her heart out to God in 1 Samuel 1. What’s amazing is that after God answered, she didn’t forget Him—she gave her son Samuel back to the Lord’s service. In Proverbs 17:5, we’re reminded that God cares deeply about how we treat others, especially those who are hurting. Hannah’s story shows us that God sees our tears, hears our prayers, and turns our pain into praise, just like she celebrated in 1 Samuel 2:1. Waiting on God isn’t easy. But Hannah teaches us that our pain can become a platform for God’s glory when we trust Him and stay faithful, even when life doesn’t make sense. ________________________________________ THINK ABOUT IT 1. God Sees Your Pain: What does Hannah’s prayer in 1 Samuel 1 teach you about bringing your deepest struggles honestly to God? 2. Compassion Matters: How does Proverbs 17:5 challenge you to treat people who are hurting or struggling around you? 3. Praise After the Answer: When God answers your prayers—or even while you’re still waiting—how can you praise Him like Hannah did in 1 Samuel 2:1? ________________________________________ BOTTOM LINE God sees your tears, hears your prayers, and can turn your pain into a story of praise when you trust Him fully. ________________________________________ PRAYER Heavenly Father, thank You for hearing me when I cry out to You. Help me to trust You while I wait and to stay faithful no matter how long it takes. Teach me to show compassion to others who are hurting and to give You praise for every answered prayer. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

June 2 - Refined and Redeemed

JUNE 2 - Refined and Redeemed 3-Year-Bible Reading: Proverbs 17:3–4; Psalm 63; Ruth 3–4 [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs%2017%3A3%E2%80%934%3B%20Psalm%2063%3B%20Ruth%203%E2%80%934&version=WEB&interface=print] //3-Year Bible Devotional Book (Year Two) Available on Amazon [https://amzn.to/4pmHfWh] // ________________________________________ “The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold, and the Lord tests hearts. An evildoer listens to wicked lips, and a liar gives ear to a mischievous tongue.” — Proverbs 17:3–4 (ESV) “Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you. So I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands.” — Psalm 63:3–4 (ESV) “Then the women said to Naomi, ‘Blessed be the Lord, who has not left you this day without a redeemer… He shall be to you a restorer of life and a nourisher of your old age.’” — Ruth 4:14–15 (ESV) ________________________________________ Have you ever felt like life was heating up—like everything was testing your patience, faith, or even your identity? Proverbs 17:3 says God uses these “furnace” moments to refine our hearts, the way fire purifies gold. Meanwhile, Psalm 63 reminds us that God’s love is better than life itself and can fill us with hope even when things feel tough. And in Ruth 4, we see how God worked through heartbreak and uncertainty to bring redemption and new beginnings for Ruth and Naomi. Life’s challenges don’t always make sense right away. But just like fire transforms raw gold into something beautiful, God can use hard times to shape your character, deepen your faith, and lead you into His greater plans—just like He did for Ruth. ________________________________________ THINK ABOUT IT 1. Refined by Fire: What tough situations in your life might God be using to strengthen your faith or shape your character (Proverbs 17:3)? 2. Better Than Life: How can focusing on God’s steadfast love (Psalm 63:3) help you stay hopeful and joyful even when things feel uncertain? 3. God’s Redemption Story: Ruth’s story went from loss to blessing. How can trusting God’s bigger plan give you courage when your own story feels incomplete (Ruth 4:14–15)? ________________________________________ BOTTOM LINE God uses life’s challenges to refine us, fill us with His love, and lead us into His perfect plan of redemption. ________________________________________ PRAYER Heavenly Father, thank You for using even the hard moments in my life to grow my faith and draw me closer to You. Help me to trust Your plan, find joy in Your steadfast love, and believe that You can bring beauty and blessing out of my challenges. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

June 1 - Peace Over Plenty

JUNE 1 - Peace Over Plenty 3-Year-Bible Reading: Proverbs 17:1–2; Ruth 1–2 [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs%2017%3A1%E2%80%932%3B%20Ruth%201%E2%80%932&version=WEB&interface=print] //3-Year Bible Devotional Book (Year Two) Available on Amazon [https://amzn.to/4pmHfWh] // ________________________________________ “Better is a dry morsel with quiet than a house full of feasting with strife.” — Proverbs 17:1 (ESV) “But Ruth said, ‘Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God.’” — Ruth 1:16 (ESV) “Then Boaz said to Ruth, ‘Now, listen, my daughter, do not go to glean in another field or leave this one, but keep close to my young women.’” — Ruth 2:8 (ESV) ________________________________________ Ever been in a situation where everything looked good on the outside, but inside there was drama, tension, or conflict? Proverbs 17:1 says peace and quiet are better than a feast filled with fighting. Ruth’s story shows this in real life—after losing everything, she chose faithfulness, love, and trust in God over an easier path back home. And then in Ruth 2, we see Boaz, a man of kindness and integrity, stepping in to provide and protect. It’s a reminder that sometimes life will offer you quick wins or flashy opportunities, but true blessing comes through peace, faithfulness, and walking with God—even when the path seems hard or uncertain. ________________________________________ THINK ABOUT IT 1. Peace Over Chaos: Why do you think Proverbs 17:1 says peace is better than plenty? Can you think of a situation where you chose peace over drama? 2. Faithful Choices: Ruth chose to stay with Naomi even when it meant sacrifice. How can you stay faithful to God and others when life gets tough? 3. Kindness That Counts: Boaz showed kindness and protection to Ruth. Who can you encourage or help this week, even in a small way? ________________________________________ BOTTOM LINE True blessing comes when we choose peace, faithfulness, and kindness over drama, shortcuts, or selfishness. ________________________________________ PRAYER Heavenly Father, thank You for showing me that peace and faithfulness matter more than quick wins or flashy opportunities. Help me choose Your path even when it’s hard and to be kind and faithful like Ruth and Boaz. Fill my life with Your peace and teach me to share it with others. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.