Pactolus Baptist Church

Daily Devotional

By Pastor Jerry Teboe

A Closer Walk with Christ in 2026

Listen to the Right Voice

Proverbs 1:8-10

 My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother: Pro 1:9  For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck. Pro 1:10  My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not. 

          The writer gives good instruction to his children.  The word son here stands for both boys and girls, because both need the counsel of a godly father and mother.  Throughout the book of Proverbs, this phrase is repeated many times because the wise counsel of the parents, if it is heeded, will prevent many wrong decisions that a young person is likely to make.

          This instruction can be seen as jewels in a crown and a chain around the neck which are ornaments of great value.  For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck.  Oh, how a young person needs this type of counsel.  Life is full of dangers that are lurking to trap them.  So, the youth in our church and our homes need fathers and mothers who are watching out for the good of their children.  In today’s society, the statement is often heard that a child should make his own decisions.  That may be true in some areas, but in the eternal realm it is like putting poison in a pretty glass and expecting the child to know that he should leave it alone.  This is why we need to give biblical instruction to the youth of our church.    As our children are growing, we need to teach them that character is more important than talent.  Many people with talent such as ball players or well-known musicians often have a lifestyle that is filled with alcohol, drugs and immorality.  Many times, if we are not careful, young people will look at these types of people as heroes to imitate.  We need to give our children godly heroes to imitate who have characters that are above reproach.  The best hero for them to follow is a godly parent who loves the Lord and lives a life for the glory of God.

The wisest counsel is seen in the next verse.  My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.  The pull of the world is strong for a young person, especially in the adolescent years, so we need to teach them to avoid the wrong type of friends.  Seek the Lord’s help as you do this.  Cover your children with prayer and show them how to live for the Lord.

          Young people need to have godly counsel in their lives.  The best counsel comes from the Word of God. 

Bible Reading for the Year

Prayer Needs

Continue to pray for Mary and the rest of the Marvin Silverthorne family as they remember Marvin in his homegoing. 

Please pray for Shea Harris, Maggie Harris’s stepson.  He is in the cardiac unit in Greenville ECU.  His heart rate went down on its own.  They may still do the cardioversion Tuesday.

Please pray for Shirley Deal, Carolyn Tyson’s sister.  She is back in the hospital in Washington.  Her sodium levels are low, and they can’t get them under control.

Please pray for Willie Pollard, Deb Skinner’s brother.  He has a fever and COPD.  They also drew fluid off of his lungs last Thursday morning.  He will be having a CT scan on his lungs.

Please continue to pray for Faye Smith, Jack Gargis’ sister.  She was moved to rehab Sunday for physical therapy and to help improve her eating.   The family greatly appreciates your prayers.

Please continue to pray for Jennifer Teboe Buchamer.  She went last Thursday for her Keytruda infusion.  Her hemoglobin was low, and they had to give her another infusion.  The doctor gave her iron, which is causing diarrhea.  Pray for healing and strength for her, for the tumors to shrink, and that the medication will not cause inflammation in her lungs.

Please continue to pray for Shirley Deans.   She is home and some better but is still weak.  Pray for wisdom for the next step forward.

Linda Franks wants to thank everyone who prayed for her.  She had a follow-up visit with the surgeon on last Tuesday, and all went very well.     

Please continue to pray for Beth Buchta.  On Thursday, September 10^th, she had an appointment with her orthopedist about the ongoing pain in her leg.  She starts physical therapy on October 19^th.

Please continue to pray for Vickie Dalton.  Pray for God’s healing.  She has some good days and some bad ones.

Thank you for praying for Dr. Joe Jordan.  The doctors changed his meds which has helped him, and he is getting stronger. Please continue to pray for him.

Please continue to pray for Peggy Warren.  She is facing some difficult challenges, but seems to be getting some better. 

Pray for our Missionaries! 

Sue Singleton and the mission in Cambodia

Dr. Joe Jordan and the CBM (Cross and Bible Ministries) 

Travis and Caroline Fennessy – IBM missionaries to Southeast Asia