Verse of the Day

July 16, 2020

INSTRUCTION AND CORRECTION

Proverbs 12:1

He who loves instruction loves perception,
But he who hates correction is without discernment.

Personal Challenge

We all have a difficult time with correction, discipline, and instruction. These are all really just the same thing, only in different degrees of personal pain. Our Lord is no different in these areas than a loving parent who is trying to raise their child to be thriving, perceptive, and discerning adults. Instruction comes first. We are taught in many ways throughout our lives how we should behave and what we should do. When we resist this instruction or forget if, then correction comes. Sometimes that correction includes some painful consequences. However this happens, it is to bring us back in alignment with where God wants to lead us. The final stage is discipline, which is given to us to stop us from our destructive path and move us back to a place where we can be instructed again. Do we want perception and discernment? Then yielding to our ultimate Instructor will get us there. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, the sinner!
July 15, 2020

A PERSON OF DISCERNMENT

Proverbs 11:10 (11:9)

A man in need of discernment treats citizens with contempt,
But a man of discernment keeps quiet.

Personal Challenge

How we treat others is very important, especially in what we say. If we treat others with contempt, speaking harshly of them or to them, then it is clear that we are not walking in a good relationship with our God. He has commanded us to love our neighbor. Sometimes this love is demonstrated by exercising discernment and humility and keeping quiet. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, the sinner!
July 14, 2020

ARROGANT OR HUMBLE

Proverbs 11:2

Wherever arrogance enters, there also is dishonor,
But the mouth of the humble meditates on wisdom.

Personal Challenge

Have you ever noticed how much the arrogant person is willing to talk? Have you also noticed how the truly humble person keeps quiet and only speaks when it edifies God and others? One brings dishonor upon themself and the other gains more wisdom and peace. The challenge is to choose wisely the path we take for the consequences of our choice are ours to reap. Glory be to God!
July 13, 2020

THE POWER OF THE MOUTH

Proverbs 10:32 (10:31)

The mouth of a righteous man distills wisdom,
But the tongue of an unrighteous man utterly destroys.

Personal Challenge

There used to be a day that we had to communicate with each other face to face or by a letter carried by hand that could take weeks, months, or even years to reach the intended recipient. Now it can be done instantly. Sometimes a video feed is included so that we can see each other, but more often it is something written on a keyboard and posted so that everyone can see it and even add their own comments to it. As Christians, are we only writing things that edify and build up the other person, or have we embraced the ways of the world and chosen to write nasty, hurting, demeaning things? Do we distill wisdom or utterly destroy? Have we become part of the world or have we overcome it? Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, the sinner!
July 11, 2020

Saint of the Week

St. Mark the Ascetic
July 10, 2020

THE BLESSING OF THE LORD

Proverbs 10:23 (10:22)

The blessing of the Lord is upon the head of a righteous man;
It enriches him, and grief of heart will not be added to it.

Encouraging Words

If we strive to follow in the footsteps of our Lord Jesus Christ, we will never fit into the culture around us. This is okay because we are not to be looking for kudos from the world but from our God. As we pursue Him, He will pour out His blessings upon us. He will enrich our lives and not let us be grieved. This is how He shows His love for us. Glory be to God!
July 9, 2020

DISCREET LIPS

Proverbs 10:20 (10:19)

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

Personal Challenge

I have often heard the statement, “God gave us two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we talk. There is much wisdom in this proverb that reminds us to have discreet lips. The more we talk, the higher the probability of saying something that we will regret. Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy!
July 8, 2020

WISDOM

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.

Encouraging Words

Why is it important for us to pursue God’s wisdom? This passage gives us so many reasons. The more we pursue God and His wisdom, the wiser we become. Duh! This is obvious, but what does it mean? The early church fathers believed wisdom in the Old Testament was referring to Jesus. So, the more we pursue Him, the more we become like Him. Why else? To gain an understanding of life. To have a good mind. To live a long time. To be wise toward others. To avoid trouble. These all sound like good reasons to me. Glory be to God!
July 7, 2020

HEAR AND HEARKEN

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

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 are encouraged to listen to the Lord, to hear Him, and then to hearken (to give heed or attention) to what is said so that our lives might be blessed. Upon the receipt of these teachings from our Lord, we can then guard His ways, watch daily at the doors of His Kingdom here on earth, and receive the grace that He has prepared for us. Being a follower of Christ, a Christian requires ongoing action. Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy!
July 6, 2020

SEEK HIM

Proverbs 8:17

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

Encouraging Words

God is alive. He is not some carved or molded statue that can do nothing. He loves us no matter what. He also does not play hide-and-go-seek with us. He promises us that if we seek Him, we will find Him. Glory be to God!