Can you accept constructive criticism? (Proverbs 12:1)

Proverbs 12:1

New Living Translation (NLT)

12 To learn, you must love discipline;
    it is stupid to hate correction.


If you don't want to learn, years of schooling will teach you very little. But if you want to be taught, there is no end to what you can learn. This includes being willing to accept discipline and correction and to learn from the wisdom of others. A person who refuses constructive criticism has a problem with pride. Such a person is unlikely to learn very much.


Joe

A wise leader.... (Proverbs 11:14)

Proverbs 11:14

New Living Translation (NLT)

¹⁴ Without wise leadership, a nation falls;    there is safety in having many advisers.


A good leader needs and uses wise advisors. One person's perspective and understanding is severely limited; he or she may not have all the facts or may be blinded by bias, emotions, or wrong impressions. To be a wise leader at home, at church, or at work, seek the counsel of others and be open to their advice.


Joe





 

Your words make a difference. (Proverbs 11:9)

Proverbs 11:9

Amplified Bible (AMP)

⁹ With his mouth the godless man destroys his neighbor, but through knowledge and superior discernment shall the righteous be delivered.

The mouth can be used either as a weapon or a tool, hurting relationships or building them up. Sadly, it is often easier to destroy than to build, and most people have received more destructive comments than those that build up. Every person you meet today is either a demolition site or a construction opportunity. Your words will make a difference.  Will they be weapons for destruction or tools for construction.

Joe

Respond to the needs of others. (Proverbs 10:22)

Proverbs 10:22

New International Version (NIV)

²² The blessing of the Lord brings wealth,
    without painful toil for it.


God supplies most people with the personal and financial abilities to respond to the needs of others. If we all realized how God has blessed us, and if we all used our resources to do God's will, hunger and poverty would be wiped out. Wealth is a blessing only if we use it in the way God intended.


Joe

Refuse to be a lazy person. (Proverbs 10:4-5)

Proverbs 10:4-5

New International Version (NIV)

⁴ Lazy hands make for poverty,
    but diligent hands bring wealth.

⁵ He who gathers crops in summer is a prudent son,
    but he who sleeps during harvest is a disgraceful son.




<sup>Every day has 24 hours filled with opportunities to grow, serve, and be productive. Yet it is so easy to waste time, letting life slip from our grasp. Refuse to be a lazy person, sleeping or wasting away the hours meant for productive work. See time as God's gift and seize your opportunities to live diligently for Him.




Joe</sup>



 

Today's thrill may lead to tomorrow's ruin. (Proverbs 7:25-27)

Proverbs 7:25-27

New Living Translation (NLT)

²⁵ Don’t let your hearts stray away toward her.
    Don’t wander down her wayward path.
²⁶ For she has been the ruin of many;
    many men have been her victims.
²⁷ Her house is the road to the grave.
    Her bedroom is the den of death.


There are definite steps you can take to avoid sexual sins. First, guard your mind. Don't read books, look at pictures, or encourage fantasies that stimulate the wrong desires. Second, keep away from settings and friends that tempt you to sin. Third, don't think only of the moment - focus on the future. Today's thrill may lead to tomorrow's ruin.


Joe






 

Get out of bed ! (Proverbs 6:6-11)

Proverbs 6:6-11

New Living Translation (NLT)

⁶ Take a lesson from the ants, you lazybones.
    Learn from their ways and become wise!
⁷ Though they have no prince
    or governor or ruler to make them work,
⁸ they labor hard all summer,
    gathering food for the winter.
⁹ But you, lazybones, how long will you sleep?
    When will you wake up?
¹⁰ A little extra sleep, a little more slumber,
    a little folding of the hands to rest—
¹¹ then poverty will pounce on you like a bandit;
    scarcity will attack you like an armed robber.


Those last few moments of sleep are delicious - we savor them as we resist beginning another workday. But Proverbs warns against giving in to the temptation of laziness, of sleeping instead of working. This does not mean we should never rest; God gave the Jews the Sabbath, a weekly day of rest and restoration. But we should not rest when we should be working. The ant is used as an example because it utilizes its energy and resources economically. If laziness turns us from our responsibilities, poverty may soon bar us from  the legitimate rest we should enjoy.




Joe









 

Balance Generosity & Good Stewardship. (Proverbs 6:1-5)

Proverbs 6:1-5

New Living Translation (NLT)

6 My child, if you have put up security for a friend’s debt
    or agreed to guarantee the debt of a stranger—
² if you have trapped yourself by your agreement
    and are caught by what you said—
³ follow my advice and save yourself,
    for you have placed yourself at your friend’s mercy.
Now swallow your pride;
    go and beg to have your name erased.
⁴ Don’t put it off; do it now!
    Don’t rest until you do.
⁵ Save yourself like a gazelle escaping from a hunter,
    like a bird fleeing from a net.


These verses are not a plea against generosity, but against overextending one's financial resources and acting in irresponsible ways that could lead to poverty. It is important to maintain a balance between generosity and good stewardship. God wants us to help our friends and the needy, but he doesn't promise to cover the costs of every unwise commitment we make. We should act responsibly so that our family does not suffer.


Joe

Drink water from your own well. (Proverbs 5:15)

Proverbs 5:15

New Living Translation (NLT)

¹⁵ Drink water from your own well—
    share your love only with your wife.


"Drink water from your own well" is a picture of faithfulness in marriage. It means to enjoy the spouse God has given you. In desert lands, water is precious, and a well is a family's most important possession. In Old Testament times, it was considered a crime to steal water from someone else's well, just as it was a crime to have relations with another man's wife. In both cases, the offender is endangering the health and security of family.


Joe



 

Lips that drip honey. (Proverbs 5:3-8)

Proverbs 5:3-8

New International Version (NIV)

³ For the lips of the adulterous woman drip honey,
    and her speech is smoother than oil;
⁴ but in the end she is bitter as gall,
    sharp as a double-edged sword.
⁵ Her feet go down to death;
    her steps lead straight to the grave.
⁶ She gives no thought to the way of life;
    her paths wander aimlessly, but she does not know it.

⁷ Now then, my sons, listen to me;
    do not turn aside from what I say.
⁸ Keep to a path far from her,    do not go near the door of her house.


Any person should be on guard against those who use flattery and smooth speech (lips that drip honey) that would lead him or her into sin. The best advice is to take a detour and even avoid conversation with such people.


Joe

Put boundaries on your desires. (Proverbs 4:23-27)

Proverbs 4:23-27

New Living Translation (NLT)

²³ Guard your heart above all else,
    for it determines the course of your life.

²⁴ Avoid all perverse talk;
    stay away from corrupt speech.

²⁵ Look straight ahead,
    and fix your eyes on what lies before you.
²⁶ Mark out a straight path for your feet;
    stay on the safe path.
²⁷ Don’t get sidetracked;    keep your feet from following evil.


Our heart - our feelings of love and desire - dictates to a great extent how we live because we always find time to do what we enjoy. Solomon tells us to guard our heart above all else, making sure we concentrate on those desires that will keep us on the right path. Make sure your affections push you in the right direction. Put boundaries on your desires: don't go after everything you see. Look straight ahead, keep your eyes fixed on your goal, and don't get sidetracked on detours that lead to sin.


Joe




 

Our actions speak louder than our words. (Proverbs 1:8)

Proverbs 1:8

New Living Translation (NLT)

⁸ My child, listen when your father corrects you.
    Don’t neglect your mother’s instruction.


Our actions speak louder than our words. This is especially true in our home. Children learn values, morals, and priorities by observing how their parents act and react everyday. If parents exhibit a deep reverence for and dependence on God, the children will catch these attitudes. Let them see your reverence for God. Teach them right living by giving worship an important place in your family life and by reading the Bible together.


Joe








 

Don't be a know-it-all. (Proverbs 1:7)

Proverbs 1:7

New King James Version (NKJV)

⁷ The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge,But fools despise wisdom and instruction.


One of the most annoying types of people is a know-it-all, a person who has a dogmatic opinion about everything, is closed to anything new, resents discipline, and refuses to learn. Solomon calls this kind of person a fool. Don't be a know-it-all. Instead, be open to the advice of others, especially those who know you well and can give valuable insight and counsel. Learn how to learn from others. Remember, only God knows it all.


Joe






 

Got breath ? Praise God !

Psalm 150:6

New International Version (NIV)

⁶ Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.

Praise the Lord.


How could the message be more clear? The writer was telling the individual listeners to praise God. What a fitting way to end this book of praise - with a direct encouragement for you to praise God too. Remember to praise Him everyday!


Joe



 

We should enjoy praising God. (Psalm 149:3-5)

Psalm 149:3-5

New Living Translation (NLT)

³ Praise his name with dancing,
    accompanied by tambourine and harp.
⁴ For the Lord delights in his people;
    he crowns the humble with victory.
⁵ Let the faithful rejoice that he honors them.    Let them sing for joy as they lie on their beds.


Although the Bible invites us to praise God, we often aren't sure how to go about it. Here, several ways are suggested - in the dance, with the voice, with musical instruments. God enjoys His people, and we should enjoy praising Him.


Joe










 

No one cares about me. (Psalm 142:4-5)

Psalm 142:4-5

New Living Translation (NLT

⁴ I look for someone to come and help me,
    but no one gives me a passing thought!
No one will help me;
    no one cares a bit what happens to me.
⁵ Then I pray to you, O Lord.
    I say, “You are my place of refuge.
    You are all I really want in life.


Have you ever felt that no one cared what happened to you? David had good reason to feel that way, and he wrote, "I pray to you, O Lord." Through prayer we can pull out of our tailspin and be reminded that God cares for us deeply.


Joe


 

The Bible is our light. (Psalm 119:105)

Psalm 119:105

New Living Translation (NLT)

¹⁰⁵ Your word is a lamp to guide my feet
    and a light for my path.


To walk safely in the woods at night we need a light so we don't trip over tree roots or fall into holes. In this life, we walk through a dark forest of evil. But the Bible can be our light to show us the way ahead so we won't stumble as we walk. It reveals the entangling roots of false values and philosophies. Study the Bible so you will be able to see your way clear enough to stay on the right path.


Joe




 

Take a fresh look at people. (Psalm 104:24)

Psalm 104:24

New Living Translation (NLT)

²⁴ O Lord, what a variety of things you have made!
    In wisdom you have made them all.
    The earth is full of your creatures.


Creation is filled with stunning variety, revealing the rich creativity, goodness, and wisdom of our loving God. As you observe your natural surroundings, thank God for His creativity. Take a fresh look at people, seeing each one as God's unique creation, each with his or her own special talents, abilities, and gifts.


Joe



 

A portrait of God's forgiveness. (Psalm 103:12)

Psalm 103:12

New Living Translation (NLT)

¹² He has removed our sins as far from us
    as the east is from the west.


East and West can never meet. This is a symbolic portrait of God's forgiveness - when He forgives our sin, He separates it from us and doesn't even remember it. We need never wallow in the past, for God forgives and forgets. We tend to dredge up the ugly past, but God has wiped our record clean. If we are to follow God, we must model His forgiveness. When we forgive another, we must also forget the sin. Otherwise, we have not truly forgiven.


Joe




 

What is your attitude toward worship? (Psalm 100:4)

Psalm 100:4

 

New International Version (NIV)

⁴ Enter his gates with thanksgiving
    and his courts with praise;
    give thanks to him and praise his name.


God alone is worthy of being worshiped. What is your attitude toward worship? Do you willingly and joyfully come into God's presence, or are you just going through the motions, reluctantly going to church? This psalm tells us to remember God's goodness and dependability, and then to worship with thanksgiving and praise.


Joe

Respect God's name. (Psalm 99:3)

Psalm 99:3

New Living Translation (NLT)

³ Let them praise your great and awesome name.
    Your name is holy!


Everyone should praise God's great and awesome name because His name symbolizes His nature, His personage, and His reputation. But the name of God is used so often in vulgar conversation that they have lost sight of its holiness. How easy it is to treat God lightly in everyday life. If you claim Him as your father, live worthy of the family name. Respect God's name and give Him praise by both your words and your life.


Joe





 

Each day proclaim the good news. (Psalm 96:1-4)

Psalm 96:1-4

New Living Translation (NLT)

¹ Sing a new song to the Lord!
    Let the whole earth sing to the Lord!
² Sing to the Lord; praise his name.
    Each day proclaim the good news that he saves.
³ Publish his glorious deeds among all the nations.
    Tell everyone about the amazing things he does.
⁴ Great is the Lord! He is most worthy of praise!
    He is to be feared above all gods.

 

The psalmist sings out his praises to God, overwhelmed by all that God has done. If we believe God is great, we cannot help telling others about Him. The best witnessing happens when our hearts are full of appreciation for what He has done. God has chosen to use us to "declare...His glorious deeds among all the nations." Praise for our great God overflows from His creation and should overflow from our lips. How well are you doing at telling others about God's greatness?

 

Joe

Number your days. (Psalm 90:12)

Psalm 90:12

New International Version (NIV)

¹² Teach us to number our days,
    that we may gain a heart of wisdom.


Realizing that life is short helps us use the little time we have more wisely and for eternal good. Take time to number your days by asking, "What do I want to see happen in my life before I die? What small step could I take toward that purpose today?"


Joe



 

Talk is cheap ! (Psalm 78:36-37)

Psalm 78:36-37

New Living Translation (NLT)

³⁶ But all they gave him was lip service;
    they lied to him with their tongues.
³⁷ Their hearts were not loyal to him.
    They did not keep his covenant.


Over and over the children of Israel claimed that they would follow God, but then they turned away from Him. The problem was that they followed God with words and not with their hearts; thus their repentance was empty. Talk is cheap. God wants our conduct to back up our spiritual claims and promises.


Joe



 

Think about what God has done for you. (Psalm 77:11-12)

Psalm 77:11-12

New Living Translation (NLT)

¹¹ But then I recall all you have done, O Lord;
    I remember your wonderful deeds of long ago.
¹² They are constantly in my thoughts.
    I cannot stop thinking about your mighty works.




Memories of God's miracles and faithfulness sustained Israel through their difficulties. They knew that God was capable and trustworthy. When you meet new trials, review how good God has been to you, and this will strengthen your faith.


Joe


 

God cares for the needy. (Psalm 72:12-14)

Psalm 72:12-14

New Living Translation (NLT)

¹² He will rescue the poor when they cry to him;
    he will help the oppressed, who have no one to defend them.
¹³ He feels pity for the weak and the needy,
    and he will rescue them.
¹⁴ He will redeem them from oppression and violence,
    for their lives are precious to him.



God cares for the needy, the afflicted, and the weak because they are precious to Him. If God feels so strongly about these needy ones and loves them so deeply, how can we ignore their plight? Examine what you are doing to reach out with God's love - are you ignoring their plight or are you meeting their needs?

 Joe

A person is never too old to serve God. (Psalm 71:18)

Psalm 71:18

New Living Translation (NLT)

¹⁸ Now that I am old and gray,
    do not abandon me, O God.
Let me proclaim your power to this new generation,
    your mighty miracles to all who come after me.



A person is never too old to serve God, never too old to pray. Though age may stop from certain physical activities, it need not end our desire to tell others (especially children) about all we have seen God do in the many years we've lived.


Joe


 

Nobody is beyond redemption. (Psalm 65:3)

Psalm 65:3

New Living Translation (NLT)

³ Though we are overwhelmed by our sins,
    you forgive them all.


Although we may feel overwhelmed by the multitude of our sins. God will forgive them all if we ask sincerely. Do you feel as though God could never forgive you, that your sins are too many, or that some of them are too great? The good news is that God can and will forgive them all. Nobody is beyond redemption, and nobody is so full of sin that he or she cannot be made clean.


Joe

A cure for sleepless nights. (Psalm 63:6)

Psalm 63:6

New Living Translation (NLT)

⁶ I lie awake thinking of you,
    meditating on you through the night.


A cure for sleepless nights is to turn our thoughts to God. There are many reasons we can't sleep - illness, stress, worry - but sleepless nights can be turned into quiet times of reflection and worship. Use them to review how God has guided and helped you.


Joe

Praise God daily. (Psalm 61:8)

Psalm 61:8

New International Version (NIV)

⁸ Then I will ever sing in praise of your name
    and fulfill my vows day after day.



David made a vow to praise God each day. David continually praised God through both the good and difficult times of his life. Do you find something to praise God for each day? As you do, you will find your heart elevated from daily distractions to lasting confidence.


Joe





 

Bless others as God has blessed you. (Psalm 41:1)

Psalm 41:1

New International Version (NIV)

¹ Blessed are those who have regard for the weak;
    the Lord delivers them in times of trouble.


The Bible often speaks of God's care for the weak, poor, and needy, and of His blessing on those who share this concern. God wants our generosity to reflect His own free giving. As He has blessed us, we should bless others.


Joe