Proverbs Day 22

Read Proverbs 22

Wisdom is more than knowledge. It is an inner sense of the way things really are, what's actually going on, and what's about to happen. Wise people have awareness and are vigilant and act accordingly. They are safe because they sense trouble before it happens and also know when there is no real danger.

Pastor Chris' Paraphrase of Proverbs 22:3, 5, and 13

3 A wise person senses trouble before it happens and steers clear; those who are naive walk right into it and learn a hard lesson.

5 Crooked people walk a prickly path full of hidden traps; be careful to steer clear of them.

13 A lazy person claims, “There’s a lion out there! I’ll get killed if I go out!”

Be wise. Know what's really going on around you and inside you. Avoid trouble when you see it coming, but don't use fear as an excuse when it's unfounded and irrational.

Prayer
"Father, help me to be vigilant. Don't let me be distracted or caught unaware. Give me insight into the people and situations around me. Don't let me be lazy and use irrational fears as an excuse not to do something You want me to do. Guide me in everything by Your Holy Spirit. Amen."

Proverbs Day 21

Read Proverbs 21
Success takes planning and hard work. There are no shortcuts in life. You have to know what's really important. Keep your priorities in line and focus your time, energy, resources, and money on what's really important at the expense of everything else.

Pastor Chris' Paraphrase of Proverbs 21:5, 6, 9, 17, 20 and 25-26

5 Good plans and steady hard work earn great rewards, but reckless haste makes you poor.

6 Treasures earned with deceit lead to death and will soon be gone.

9 It’s better to crash in the corner of some attic than live in a charming home with a wife who’s always angry.

17 People who indulge and party all the time never have enough; people who always have to have the latest, greatest things don’t get rich.

20 Wise people have lots of wealth and luxury, but fools immediately spend whatever they get.

25-26 A couch potato dies even though he wants more, because he’s too lazy to work it. He always wants more, more, more. Godly people are more givers than takers. 

Know who you are and Gods's plans for you. Focus on what really matters and don't worry about everything else too much. Be happy with what you have and don't covet. Be generous and not greedy. Work hard to follow God's plan and be persistent. Good things come to those who are wise.

Prayer
"God of Heaven and Earth, help me to know Your plans for me and to stay focused on them, working hard to accomplish everything You want me to do. Amen."

Proverbs Day 20

Read Proverbs 20

Wise living takes discipline, persistence, and trust. Some are tempted to indulge in extra sleep or to procrastinate. Others are tempted to act impulsively or try to control it all. Wise people take a broader view of life and work steadily toward success.

Pastor Chris' Paraphrase of Proverbs 20:4, 13, 18, and 24

4 Lazy people don’t plan ahead or prepare and they don’t have what they need when the time comes.

13 If you love to sleep, poverty will take over your life. Get up and get to work so you’ll have enough to eat.

18 Get lots of advice while you’re making your plans. Let people guide when you go to battle.

24 Only the Lord knows everything about our journey. We can’t see or understand everything that’s going on.

Don't be lazy. Plan ahead. Seek guidance. Work hard and be persistent. And don't be a control freak. You can have a great deal of influence over your own success, but are never in complete control and you do not know everything that is going on in the grand picture. Trust God.

Prayer

"Lord, help me to be a wise planner and a diligent executor. Most of all, help me to trust You with it all. Amen."

Proverbs Day 19

Read Proverbs 19
Fools tell lies. Whether it's an evil scheme to get what they want or just the easy way out of a difficult situation, dishonesty is never the wise course. Truly wise people are honest and have integrity.

Pastor Chris' Paraphrase of Proverbs 19:1, 5, 9, 22, and 28

1 It is better to be a poor person with integrity than a fool who twists words.

5 A witness who lies will be convicted. Someone who tells lies will not get away.

9 A witness who lies will be convicted. Someone who tells lies will be destroyed.

22 We long for people to be faithful; a poor man is better than a liar.

28 An evil witness mocks justice and takes a gulp of terrible trouble with every lie they tell.

Notice how verses 5 and 9 say almost the same exact thing. Why would there two nearly identical proverbs in the same chapter? Because telling the truth is essential to healthy relationships, civil society, and God demands it. Be honest. Strive for integrity. Be a loyal friend. Practice telling the truth in love. Even if it's harder in the short-term, it's always better in the long run and God will honor you.

Prayer

"Father, help me to be honest and faithful in the way I live and the things I do. Amen."

Proverbs Day 18

"Father, I just want to begin with a quick prayer for my friend, Dot, and her family who lost her husband two years ago. He was a wonderful husband and father and he was loved by many. Please comfort his family as they struggle with grief--especially today. Amen."

Read Proverbs

It is really foolish to think wealth and material possessions will keep you safe when troubles come, and yet that is what most people in our world think. People think money will make them secure and they are often proud when they have it--thinking they can buy their way out of whatever troubles come. Truly wise people know better.

Pastor Chris' Paraphrase of Proverbs 18:10-14

10 The Lord is known as an impregnable stronghold; good people run to Him for safety.

11 Rich people rely on their wealth; they hide behind it thinking nothing can touch them.

12 A person brags about their greatness right before they’re broken to pieces, but those who are humble receive honor.

13 Speaking about something before fully listening is just stupid and brings humiliation.

14 A good attitude can sustain you through illness, but what can you do with a broken spirit?

Wealth is as fleeting as a morning fog. A misstep, an illness, a lawsuit or misfortune and it can all be gone in an instant. Then where is your safety net? Why spend all your time trying to build a wall of safety founded only on money? Why take pride in something that gives a false sense of security? Be wise and build a strong relationship with the Lord for that is where real hope lies.

Prayer

"Father, free me from the foolish idea that money is all I need to keep my family safe. Help me to trust in You and find true security. Amen."

Proverbs Day 17

Read Proverbs 17
Life has enough trouble in it without you going to look for more. Spend your time cultivating peace--especially in your own home. Deal with conflict when you have to, but be quick to forgive and overlook an offence when you can. Nobody likes a trouble maker and you're gonna need all the friends you can get. Spend your time building up your relationships so you will have their support when real trouble comes.

Pastor Chris' Paraphrase of Proverbs 17:1, 9, 14, 17
1 It’s better to eat stale crumbs in a peaceful home than a feast in a house where everyone argues.

9 A person who lets go of an offence wants love, but a person who keeps bringing it up drives away their closest friend.

14 Starting an argument is like digging a hole in a dam; once the water’s out, you can’t put it back in. So quit before you mess everything up.

17 A friend always loves you, and brothers were born to help in times of trouble.

A wise person builds loyal friendships through patience, kindness, forgiveness, and love. Be there for others when they need you and they will be there for you when you need them.

Prayer
"Father, help me build strong friendships through patience, kindness, forgiveness, and love. Steer me clear of unnecessary quarrels about stuff that really doesn't matter in the long run. Help me be a wise friend to others. Amen."

Proverbs Day 16

Read Proverbs 16
We can scheme to get what we want and set out to accomplish our plans, but God knows what's really best. He knows when our desires are out of line, when our motives are wrong, and when our steps are misguided. Ultimately, God is in control. He is behind the scenes directing the way things turn out.

Pastor Chris' Paraphrase of Proverbs 16:1-3, 9, 25, 33
1 People scheme to get what they want, but the Lord has the final say.

2 People always think they’ve done right, but the Lord looks deeper.

3 Surrender what you want to the Lord and your plans will take root and grow.

9 People choose their destination, but the Lord determines where they go.

25 There is a easy road before everyone that seems good, but it leads to death.

33 When the dice are rolled, the Lord decides what they say.

The wise person sees that God is the righteous Ruler of all and bows to the Lord and surrenders everything to Him. The Lord sees things so much deeper and fuller than we can ever imagine. The Lord knows what's right and the best way to get there and He will ultimately accomplish whatever He decides to do. Only a fool ignores the Lord's plans or tries to convince Him their way is better. Wise people align themselves with God's plans.

Prayer
"Lord of all, forgive me when I forget You are Lord of all and try to go my own way. Help me to align my will with Yours and always live accordingly. Amen."