Proverbs 20:1
“Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.”
 
Many focus on the first part of the verse, dwelling on the Truth of it, while neglecting the Truth of the latter part. This verse teaches us that wine and strong drink are a product of deception.
 
Proverbs 23:31-32
“Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright. At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder.”
 
Satan, the father of lies, seeks to deceive and devour at every chance he gets. In order to consume of wine or strong drink, he must deceive you.
 
Galatians 6:7
“Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.”
 
A person who is deceived in partaking of wine or strong drink may have their reasons why they justify their actions; however, the Bible tells us that they are not wise.
 
Galatians 5:21
“Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.”
 
Rather than just tell us the pitfalls, God gives us an alternative. Whether our struggle is, we can choose to be filled with selfishness or filled with Him.
 
Ephesians 5:17-18
“Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;”
 
He wants to fill us with Himself; He only requires that we empty ourselves of sin. Choose Wisdom today while resisting deception.
 
 
Bible Reading:
Genesis 41-42  |  John 21  |  Proverbs 21

Proverbs 19:28-29
“An ungodly witness scorneth judgment: and the mouth of the wicked devoureth iniquity. Judgments are prepared for scorners, and stripes for the back of fools.”
 
There is a Judgment Day coming.
The Word of God warns us all about this Truth.
 
Hebrews 9:27
“And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:”
 
We are appointed to die, and to be judged by God. Where we will be judged is dependent upon our choice of where we will spend eternity.
 
His children will appear before Him at the Judgment Seat of Christ, whereas the lost will be at the Great White Throne of Judgment.
 
2 Corinthians 5:10
“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.”
 
Revelation 20:11
“And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.”
 
The ungodly may scorn and scoff at their forthcoming judgment, but that not excuse them from their impending appointment. We all have an appointment to keep.
 
Which whosoever will you be?
 
Romans 10:13
“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

Revelation 20:15
“And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.”
 
Make your choice now, before you do not have a choice of where you will spend eternity. If you have already made this decision, consider those around you who still have an appointment awaiting them. Will you tell them before its too late? Make the choice today to share the love of Christ and His glorious Gospel with them.
 
 
Bible Reading:
Genesis 39-40  |  John 20  |  Proverbs 20

Proverbs 19:27
“Cease, my son, to hear the instruction that causeth to err from the words of knowledge.”
 
What do you allow yourself to hear?
We must examine if what we hear is causing us to compromise in error from the Word of God.
 
How often we neglect to take account of all we subject ourselves to on a daily basis. There are so many mediums of information today that we are literally bombarded with opinions. Do we take the time to evaluate what is affecting our decisions and, more importantly, our doctrine?
 
Matthew 7:15
“Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.”
 
False doctrines abound all around us. The world has begun to accept any form of religion, while still refusing the Truth. It is quite dangerous to follow men rather than the Truth of God.
 
Mark 7:6-9,13
“…This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do. And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition…Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye.”
 
Our instructions are simple: we are to turn away from anyone or anything that is contrary to the Truth.
 
Romans 16:17-18
“Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.”
 
2 Timothy 3:5
“Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.”
 
2 John 1:10-11
“If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.”
 
Instead of compromising, may we choose to stand upon the Truth of the Word of God and the glorious Gospel of Jesus Christ!
 
 
Bible Reading:
Genesis 37-38  |  John 19  |  Proverbs 19

Proverbs 19:24
“A slothful man hideth his hand in his bosom, and will not so much as bring it to his mouth again.”
 
Slothfulness causes us to hide something.
When we attempt to hide whatever it is that we are self-conscious or even ashamed about, we often forget that nothing can be hidden from God.
 
Proverbs 19:25
“Smite a scorner, and the simple will beware: and reprove one that hath understanding, and he will understand knowledge.”
 
Scorn must be condemned and rejected from our lives.
Whether it comes from within us or we receive it from others, we must choose to seek the Truth rather than opinions. We can find good in the reproof of our critics; we must only allow the Lord to help us discern what Truth we can learn from them.
 
Proverbs 19:26
“He that wasteth his father, and chaseth away his mother, is a son that causeth shame, and bringeth reproach.”
 
Shame is caused when we forget the reproach that our sin has on those who are closest to us. The sin in our lives does not only affect us; its consequences radiate onto people we would never dream of hurting otherwise.
 
Ask the Lord to reveal any slothfulness, scorning or shame that you are harboring in your life today. Allow Him to wash you from any sin that hinders your walk with Him.
 
Psalm 51:6-7
“Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.”
 
 
Bible Reading:
Genesis 35-36  |  John 18  |  Proverbs 18

Proverbs 19:22
“The desire of a man is his kindness: and a poor man is better than a liar.”
 
It is better to desire to be good and fail than to proclaim to be good and lie. There is nothing good within any of us.
 
Romans 3:10-12
“As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.”
 
The only way to attain any goodness is to receive the Only Way and His goodness. Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth and the Life; when we choose Him, we obtain eternal life through Him.
 
Proverbs 19:23
“The fear of the LORD tendeth to life: and he that hath it shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil.”
 
When we fear the Lord, we find satisfaction in Him.
With Him there is nothing to fear or desire, for nothing compares to Him.
 
Psalm 34:9-10
“O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him. The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing.”
 
Choose to be satisfied in Wisdom today.
 
 
Bible Reading:
Genesis 33-34  |  John 17  |  Proverbs 17

Proverbs 19:21
“There are many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.”
 
We tend to think that we know what is best for us; and if not, our flesh tends to believe that those closest to us have the answers. What we forget is that, even in the best intentions, the hearts of the people we love and trust are just as deceitful as our own.
 
Psalm 33:10
“The LORD bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought: he maketh the devices of the people of none effect.”
 
God knows our hearts as well as those we seek counsel from and rather than leave us on our own, He provides the Solution.
 
Psalm 33:11
“The counsel of the LORD standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations.”
 
His Word has been proven to be true because He is the Truth.
His Word has been preserved because He was and is and always will be.
His Word has been purified because He is Holy.
 
Isaiah 40:8
“The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.”
 
No other book can even begin to compare to the Truth that the Word of God contains because the Scriptures contain Him. It is within His Words that we learn Who He is. We discover what He has done, what He is doing right now, and what He will do. His promises are true because His grace and mercy confirms those that have already come to pass.
 
Psalm 119:89
“For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.”
 
Rather than seeking the answers in all the wrong places, we can choose to find the Answer to every problem we will ever face within the glorious pages of the Word of God.
 
The Word is the Solution regardless of what question you have today.
 
 
Bible Reading:
Genesis 31-32  |  John 16  |  Proverbs 16

Proverbs 19:18
“Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying.”
 
Parents discipline their children as an act of love.
God chastises His children because He loves us.
 
Hebrews 12:7
“If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?”
 
When a parent neglects to be consistent, the need for discipline only increases.
​God shows His children that there must be a balance of mercy and correction.
 
Proverbs 19:19
“A man of great wrath shall suffer punishment: for if thou deliver him, yet thou must do it again.”
 
God gives His children counsel and instruction that is ready to be heard and received through His Word. We need only take the time to read and believe so that we may wisely apply His Truth to our lives.
 
Proverbs 19:20
“Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end.”
 
 
Bible Reading:
Genesis 29-30  |  John 15  |  Proverbs 15

Proverbs 19:17
“He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.”
 
When we give out of love, we also receive something; therefore it truly is more blessed to give.
 
Proverbs 14:21
“He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth: but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he.”
 
There is happiness in giving; especially when we have in mind to Whom we are really giving.
 
Matthew 25:40
“And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.”
 
When we give to those in need, we also give to Him.
This should cause us to want to give more so that He receives more from us.
 
There is also a heaping promise in giving; the more we give, the more we will receive.
 
Luke 6:38
“Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.”
 
The Ultimate Example of giving, our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ spoke these Words. He gave everything for us; shall we not also do the same for Him?
 
 
Bible Reading:
Genesis 27-28  |  John 14  |  Proverbs 14

Proverbs 19:16
“He that keepeth the commandment keepeth his own soul; but he that despiseth his ways shall die.”
 
The importance of obeying the Word of God cannot be overstated; for by the Truth of the Scriptures the very foundation of our faith is established.
 
We either believe that His Word is true or we do not.
The degree of our belief is shown in our obedience.
 
James 4:17
“Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.”
 
Our love for the Lord is best shown when we obey what His Word says.
 
John 14:21-23
“He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world? Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.”
 
Jesus Christ told His disciples that the authenticity of their love for Him would cause them to obey. How genuine is our love for Him today?
 
1 John 2:3-6
“And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.”
 
 
Bible Reading:
Genesis 25-26  |  John 13  |  Proverbs 13

Proverbs 19:12
“The king's wrath is as the roaring of a lion; but his favour is as dew upon the grass.”
 
Wisdom allows us to willingly submit to authority.
It is wise to often evaluate how we respond to our leaders.
 
Proverbs 19:13-14
“A foolish son is the calamity of his father: and the contentions of a wife are a continual dropping. House and riches are the inheritance of fathers: and a prudent wife is from the LORD.”
 
Foolishness brings heartbreak to a family, whereas Wisdom allows God’s favour and blessing. The consequences of our actions do not stop with us; it is wise to consider how those closest to us will be affected by our choices.
 
Proverbs 19:15
“Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger.”
 
The slothful waste time dreaming instead of laboring. Scripture tells us that we must work if we expect to eat. Our souls need nourishment to thrive just as much as our bodies desire food to survive.
 
Do you willingly submit to authority?
Are you willing to suffer the consequences of your actions?
Have you allowed your soul to become slothful?
Examine your heart today.
 
 
Bible Reading:
Genesis 23-24  |  John 12  |  Proverbs 12