Proverbs 4:1-2

Hear, O children, the instruction of a father, and pay attention (and be willing to learn) so that you may gain understanding and intelligent discernment. For I give you good doctrine; do not turn away from my instruction.   

We never stop learning from God, our Pastor, and the Bible. The longer we study the Bible, the more we see and take in God’s knowledge and wisdom. The more we hear from our Pastor, the deeper our relationship grows with the church family. The closer we walk with God, the more our knowledge increases. 

Proverbs 16:8-9

A man’s mind plans his way (as he journeys through life), but the Lord directs his steps and establishes them.

When we are young, we think of a plan for our lives and futures. Our vision is limited, and our plans are often shortsighted, but God sees and knows all and establishes our way. When we let God lead, our personal fulfillment and satisfaction increase.

Proverbs 29:22-23

An angry man stirs up strife, and a hot-tempered and undisciplined man commits many transgressions. A man’s pride and sense of self-importance will bring him down, but he who has a humble spirit will obtain honor.

We choose our attitude every minute of every day. No matter the circumstance, we can choose our outlook, and whether we reach for God’s help or turn away from God will affect the outcome. Our emotions are not to lead our spirit, but our spirit is to lead our emotions by our connection to God.

Proverbs 30:7-9

Two things I have asked of You; do not deny them to me before I die: Keep deception and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is my portion, so that I will not be full and deny You and say, “Who is the Lord?” Or that I will not be poor and steal, and so profane the name of my God.

When we keep God in remembrance, we acknowledge that God is our supply. Excess dulls the spiritual heart and takes our eyes off the source of the provision. We may gain an ego and think it is by our abilities that we gain increase. When we focus on God, not possessions, God remains the most crucial source.

John 7:37-38

Now on the last and most important day of the feast, Jesus stood and called out (in a loud voice), If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink! He who believes in Me (who adheres to, trusts in, and relies on Me), as the Scripture has said, “From his innermost being will flow continually rivers of living water.” 

We don’t have to live stagnant lives! If we let it, life can make us disappointed, angry, and bitter. Jesus came to free us from all anger, frustration, and sins. When we believe in Jesus, a door opens to the possibility of living a fulfilled life. We aim to have living water flow and keep our lives focused on the positive. 

Psalm 34:19-20

Many hardships and perplexing circumstances confront the righteous, but the Lord rescues him from them all. He keeps all his bones; not one of them is broken. 

Life can feel overwhelming and perplexing daily. We can start the day in prayer filled with calm and peace, but by midday, our lives can be going in the opposite direction. God is still with us and ready to help when we pause and put our focus back on Him. No matter what the circumstances may say, God is still working on our behalf.

Psalm 25:4-5

Let me know Your ways, O Lord; teach me Your paths. Guide me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; for you (and only You) I wait (expectantly) all the day long. 

Waiting for God’s golden nuggets of wisdom requires patience. We all grow in God’s wisdom at different speeds because our levels of study and challenges in our lives are different. When we know that God is the answer and has the answers, we wait expectantly in faith.  

Psalm 4:6-8

Many are saying, “Oh, that we might see some good!” Lift up the light of Your face upon us, O Lord. You have put joy in my heart, more than (others know) when their wheat and new wine have yielded abundantly. In peace I will both lie down and sleep, for You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety and confident trust. 

The joy of the Lord and His benefits are more significant than the abundant harvest and new wine. Because of God’s presence in our lives, we can live in peace and sleep. Nothing on earth can make us feel as secure as God’s protection of His people.  

Matthew 9:13

Go and learn what this means: I Desire Compassion (for those in distress) and not (animal) sacrifice for I did not call (to repentance) the (self-proclaimed) righteous (who see no need to change) but sinners (those who recognize their sin and actively seek forgiveness).

Sin is missing the mark and transgressing against God’s law. Jesus came to help the sinner find their way back to God. The Law couldn’t show the love of God toward the people who recognized their sin but did not know how to cross the gulf between them and God. Jesus came to breach the gulf for the sinner. 

Matthew 7:13-14

Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad and easy to travel is the path that leads the way to destruction and eternal loss, and there are many who enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow and difficult to travel is the path that leads the way to (everlasting) life, and there are few who find it.  

We have two roads, which are the way of life or death. The wide road rejects God and His salvation and follows a sinful nature, searing the conscious as it goes, closing the gate to a connection with God. The narrow road accepts Jesus and salvation, being washed clean of sins and finding fulfillment for the spirit and soul. It accepts the Word of God as a liberator and not a burden.