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!

Proverbs 5:1-2

My son, hold fast to wisdom
And incline your ear to my words,
That you may guard good thinking;
And I command you with the perception of my lips.

Personal Challenge

A godly, righteous life is not a one and done deal. We must be consciously focused on doing those things that result in godliness and righteousness. We must hold fast to wisdom, which is Jesus. We must incline our ears to His words, which again is Jesus, the living Logos. We must guard our thinking and focus on the good. It is by these behaviors that we remain close to Him. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, the sinner!

2 Corinthians 3:1-3

Do we begin again to commend ourselves? Or do we need, as some others, epistles of commendation to you or letters of commendation from you? You are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read by all men; clearly you are an epistle of Christ, ministered by us, written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of flesh, that is, of the heart.

Encouraging Words

We are much more than just followers of Christ. We are God’s adopted children. We are the living epistles, or letters, written by our forefathers of the church. We are the carriers of Christ to the next generation by living for Him and sharing His gospel by loving our neighbor. Glory be to God!

Proverbs 4:23 (4:22)

Keep your heart with all watchfulness,
For from these words are the issues of life.

Personal Challenge

We live in a world filled with so much stimulation. Whether it be audio, video, visual, or touch, our senses are often confronted with things that can drew is away from God. It is our responsibility to exercise our free will and protect our heart with great watchfulness. By doing this we can stay close to our Lord and His path of righteousness. Glory be to God!

2 Corinthians 1:10

who delivered us from so great a death, and does deliver us; in whom we trust that He will still deliver us,

Encouraging Words

God is our deliverer. He delivers us from eternal death. He delivers us from our earthly trials and tribulations. He even delivers us from ourselves and our sinful desires. Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy!