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Proverbs 10:19 (10:20)

You will not escape sin by a multitude of words, But you of discreet lips will be forbearing.

2 Corinthians 4:16

Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.

Encouraging Words

One thing that sets a committed follower of Christ apart from others is their perspective on death. We do not lose heart as we see our earthly bodies perishing a little bit more each day as we grow older. We know that physical death is inevitable, but we also know that in Christ, our inner being, our soul is being renewed each day in Christ and that we will live forever with Him. We recognize the struggle of remaining in our physical body and absent from Christ versus being absent from our physical body, separated from our loved ones, and in the presence of Christ. Either way, we know that we are in his hands. Glory be to God!

Proverbs 9:9-12

Give the opportunity to a wise man, and he will be wiser;
Instruct a righteous man, and he shall continue to receive it.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,
And the counsel of saints is understanding;
For to know the law is characteristic of a good mind.
For in this manner you will live a long time,
And the years of your life shall be increased.
My son, if you become wise in yourself,
you shall also be wise toward your neighbor;
But if you prove to be evil, you alone will go through troubles.

Personal Challenge

Let’s face it, we can do nothing on our own that will give us wisdom and righteousness. These can only come from our Lord and the place to begin the process of receiving this is to put our trust and faith in Him, and Him alone. God will make his laws and precepts known to us. He will provide the opportunities for us to grow in Wisdom. He will give us the instruction we need and bring saintly counsel into our lives. He will show us how to treat our neighbor. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, the sinner!

2 Corinthians 4:7-10

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed— always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.

Personal challenge

Once again, we see what appears to be the folly of God. He chooses us, common human beings, to build His kingdom and bring about the unity of His church. We are broken, unclean, and yet His vessels that He chooses to live in. He does this so that only through his power and grace can we overcome the powers of this earthly domain. That way He is glorified, and we have Jesus manifested within us. Glory be to God!

Proverbs 8:32-33 (8:32-34)

Now therefore, my son, hear me:
Blessed is the man who shall hearken to me
And the man who shall guard my ways;
Who watches daily at my doors,
Who keeps watch at the doors of my entryways;
For my issues are the issues of life,
And grace is prepared from the Lord.

Personal Challenge

We all desire to be blessed, especially by God. Many times, we have this desire but are unwilling to do the things highlighted here that will help us to fully receive God’s blessings. It all starts from hearkening to Him, listening for His guidance. We guard His ways. We watch daily at His doors, keeping watch for Him. We cannot be lax in these duties. His issues will become our issues and He will prepare us to take them on. Glory be to God!

2 Corinthians 4:6

For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

Encouraging Words

In the beginning of creation, God started it off by saying, “Let there be light! “God is the uncreated light and shines His light where He chooses to. For us to truly know Jesus, He shines His light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. Jesus is our window that let’s God’s light into our lives to break the bondage of darkness. Glory be to God!

Proverbs 8:17

I love those who love me,
And those who seek me shall find me.

Encouraging Words

Jesus made it clear in John 3:16 that God loved the world, and all that is within it so deeply. Here in Proverbs, we are reminded that we fully experience the love of God when we choose to love Him. If we seek Him and desire Him, He promises that we will surely find Him. Glory be to God!

2 Corinthians 4:1

Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart.

Personal Challenge

For each one of us who have chosen to follow Christ, we are called into a ministry for Him. Through that very calling we are given the mercy, grace, and ability to answer, and live up to that calling. With this power from our Lord, we do not lose heart. We are able to stand strong in Him and do His work. Glory be to God!