Author: David Short

Proverbs 16:32 (16:30)

A patient man is better than a strong man,
And he who controls his temper is better than he who captures a city.

Personal Challenge

If I have learned anything during my life as a follower ·of Christ, it is to never pray for patience or humility. It is far better to work on those characteristics on a regular basis, trying to be like Christ rather than being forced into them by being the opposite. So many people view patience as a weakness when it is truly a sign of strength. Patience also guides us through dealing with and controlling our temper. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, the sinner!

Galatians 5:13

For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.

Personal Challenge

As followers of Christ, we have been set free from the restraints of the law. We have been called to a life of liberty in Christ. This also means that we must choose to not use this liberty to feed the desires and passions of our flesh, but to use it to glorify and edify Christ. We do this by serving one another in His love. Glory be to God!

Galatians 5:1

Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.

Encouraging Words

God established the law in His first covenant to highlight for mankind their sinfulness and need for redemption. What did we do with it? Rather than see it as a way to see our God and His love for us, we made it so burdensome that it became divisive and even separated us from God. Jesus came from heaven, became one of us, and totally fulfilled the law rendering it unnecessary from then on. Jesus set us free from the law and gave us a new covenant based on love. We must stand fast on this love and the freedom that it brings and not get entangled in the bondage of the fulfilled law. Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy!

Proverbs 16:18 (16:16)

Arrogance goes before destruction
And folly before a fall.

Personal Challenge

I believe that most of us have heard this verse one way or another. The one that I am most familiar with is, “Pride goes before a fall.”. So, how do we prevent a fall or destruction in our lives? It all comes back to humility. If we strive to live humble, righteous lives, we will be able to fend off arrogance and folly. This is not however, a one and done event. We must continually be working on our humility and righteousness, repenting every time that we fail, and pursuing Christlikeness at all times, and in all situations. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, the sinner!

Galatians 4:4-7

But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.

And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!” Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

Encouraging Words

Because of whom Jesus is, fully God and fully man, and what He did through being born a human, living a sinless life, going to the cross for sinners, defeating death, and being resurrected, we can become adopted sons and daughters into the family of God. We can cry out to Him saying, “Abba, Father!”. This is the most intimate way possible to call out to Him. Through Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit, we are no longer slaves but adopted children into the kingdom of God. Glory to Him!

Proverbs 16:7 (16:4)

He who seeks the Lord will find knowledge with righteousness,
And those who seek Him rightly will find peace.

Encouraging Words

Our God is not some sneaky, elusive entity that likes to play hide and seek with people. He is always present in a way that no one can say that they cannot find Him. He is always present, everywhere. If we truly seek Him, we will find knowledge with righteousness. If we seek him rightly, we will find peace. Glory be to God!