Proverbs 23:20-21
“Be not among winebibbers; among riotous eaters of flesh: For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty: and drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags.”

Drunkenness and gluttony are used often throughout the Scriptures as examples of warning against the power and present of sin.

Here we are taught that poverty and drowsiness are the reward of those who partake of those sins. Our spiritual clothing becomes rags in the eyes of the Lord when we choose the pleasures of sin over our walk with Him.

Proverbs 6:9-11
“How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep? Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man.”

Idle hands are a easy target for the enemy.
When we become lazy in our walk with the Lord or service to Him, we give opportunity for our flesh to give in to the wiles of the devil. 

Philippians 3:18-19
“(For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)”

Spiritual drowsiness is a sign that we need to wake ourselves up with the Wisdom of the Word. 


Bible Reading:
Deuteronomy 27-28  |  Acts 1  |  Proverbs 31

Proverbs 23:19
“Hear thou, my son, and be wise, and guide thine heart in the way.”

A fear of the Lord creates within us the desire and ability to hear and obey the Truth. It is through the Holy Spirit that we are guided through the Scriptures.

John 16:13
“Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.”

Guiding Wisdom comes by hearing. 
Romans 10:17
“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”

As we hear the Word, we receive Wisdom; which then guides our hearts in the way we should go.

Psalm 31:3 
“For thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore for thy name's sake lead me, and guide me.”

Psalm 32:8
“I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.”

Good Instructions lead to understanding and willful obedience.
If we neglect to make good decisions, perhaps the reason is our indifference or refusal to adhere to the Instructions we have been given.

The guidance of the Lord satisfies our thirsty souls.
Isaiah 58:11
“And the LORD shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.”

If you feel lost, there is guidance in His Word to fulfill your every need.
Allow Him to guide you today.


Bible Reading:
Deuteronomy 25-26  |  Mark 16  |  Proverbs 30

Proverbs 23:17-18
“Let not thine heart envy sinners: but be thou in the fear of the LORD all the day long. For surely there is an end; and thine expectation shall not be cut off.”

Rather than become jealous of the prosperity of sinners, we need to remember the fate that awaits them if they do not choose to repent.

Psalm 37:1-2
“Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity. For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb.”

Our salvation should cause a fear of Him to also reside within us.
The Word of God speaks of the priority that a fear of the Lord must be in order to truly walk with Him. 

Psalms 119:38 
“Stablish thy word unto thy servant, who is devoted to thy fear.”

Psalm 112:1
“Praise ye the LORD. Blessed is the man that feareth the LORD, that delighteth greatly in his commandments.”

Our Wisdom begins with our fear of Him.

Psalm 111:10
“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.”

The more we fear the Lord, the wiser we become. 
The more we understand the importance of fearing Him, the more we faithful we become to the purpose He has for our lives.


Bible Reading:
Deuteronomy 23-24  |  Mark 15  |  Proverbs 29

Proverbs 23:15-16
“My son, if thine heart be wise, my heart shall rejoice, even mine. Yea, my reins shall rejoice, when thy lips speak right things.”
 
Our possession of Wisdom causes those who love us to rejoice; likewise, we can rejoice when we see our children walking in the Truth.
 
Mentors & Teachers
2 John 1:4
“I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father.”
 
Parents
Proverbs 23:24-25
“The father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice: and he that begetteth a wise child shall have joy of him. Thy father and thy mother shall be glad, and she that bare thee shall rejoice.”
 
The Heavenly Father
Zephaniah 3:17
“The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.”
 
There is no greater joy for those who have invested their time in us than to see us walking in Wisdom. We can experience this same joy as we teach others to do the same.
 
3 John 3-4
“For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.”
 
 
Bible Reading:
Deuteronomy 21-22  |  Mark 14  |  Proverbs 28

Proverbs 23:13-14
“Withhold not correction from the child: for if thou beatest him with the rod, he shall not die. Thou shalt beat him with the rod, and shalt deliver his soul from hell.”

One of the greatest ways a parent expresses love for their children is by teaching them the difference between right and wrong. 

Proverbs 3:11-12
“My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction: For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.”

What love is shown when a child is permitted to do wrong?

Proverbs 13:24
“He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.”

God chastens His children because He loves us. When we realize that there is purpose and Wisdom in correction, we experience firsthand that God in love desires only what is best for us.

The Word of God speaks the Truth of right and wrong, but we must willingly hear and apply that Truth to our lives. When we neglect the Word of Wisdom, we miss out on knowing how to correct ourselves.

Hebrews 12:5-9
“And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?”

Thank Him today for His correcting Wisdom.


Bible Reading:
Deuteronomy 19-20  |  Mark 13  |  Proverbs 27

Proverbs 23:12
“Apply thine heart unto instruction, and thine ears to the words of knowledge.”

The Word can make us willing to bow our hearts and ears before Him.

Hebrews 4:12
“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.“

The state of our hearts directly affects our hearing.
Proverbs 22:17
“Bow down thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thine heart unto my knowledge.”

We must first humbly bow our hearts to God and His Word before we can truly hear what He has to say and apply the Truth to our lives.

James 1:21-25
“Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.”

Hearing and applying go hand in hand when it comes to the Word of God. His unlimited power is available to anyone who takes the time to hear, apply, cry, lift up, seek and search the Scriptures.

Proverbs 2:2-6
“So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God. For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.”

God repeatedly refers to our hearts and our ears in reference to us partaking of His Word. It is up to us to yield ourselves to what He has to say in order to follow His direction. He gives us instruction and understanding as we seek Him through the Words He has preserved for us to read as the Holy Spirit guides us in the Truth. Our faith only comes as we hear His Word.

Romans 10:17
“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”

Incline your ears unto Him today while applying your heart to the Wisdom that only He can give. 


Bible Reading:
Deuteronomy 17-18  |  Mark 12  |  Proverbs 26

Proverbs 23:10-11
“Remove not the old landmark; and enter not into the fields of the fatherless: For their redeemer is mighty; he shall plead their cause with thee.”

A warning to those who persecute and pursue the children of the Lord.
Our Redeemer is strong, powerful and faithful to defend us.

Job 19:25
“For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:”

He faithfully leads, guides, directs and protects those who trust in Him.
When the children of Israel were held captive by Pharaoh, God was faithful to redeem them. Now we read of the bondage they faced and the miracle of their freedom at Red Sea, and we can have hope that He will also part the waters of our lives at just the right time.

Exodus 15:13
“Thou in thy mercy hast led forth the people which thou hast redeemed: thou hast guided them in thy strength unto thy holy habitation.”

The Redeemer desires the redeemed to declare their relationship with Him. We display the Wisdom we possess when we proclaim Who He is.

Psalm 107:2
“Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy;”

Psalm 19:14
“Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.”

Our words and our thoughts can be transformed as we seek Him each day through His Word. He replaces our waywardness with Wisdom as He teaches and leads us in the Truth.

Isaiah 48:17
“Thus saith the LORD, thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; I am the LORD thy God which teacheth thee to profit, which leadeth thee by the way that thou shouldest go.”

Redeeming Wisdom is available to all who place their faith in Him.


Bible Reading:
Deuteronomy 15-16  |  Mark 11  |  Proverbs 25

Proverbs 23:9
“Speak not in the ears of a fool: for he will despise the wisdom of thy words.”
 
Sometimes silence is best.
Christ showed us this example several times throughout the Scripture, most noticeably when He was on trial. He was questioned and accused; yet He wisely chose to remain silent.
 
He answered nothing.
Matthew 27:12-14
“And when he was accused of the chief priests and elders, he answered nothing. Then said Pilate unto him, Hearest thou not how many things they witness against thee? And he answered him to never a word; insomuch that the governor marvelled greatly.”
 
He did not even open His mouth.
Isaiah 53:7
“He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.”
 
Silence is a wise response to both our critics and those who do us wrong.
Luke 23:9-10
“Then he questioned with him in many words; but he answered him nothing. And the chief priests and scribes stood and vehemently accused him.
 
Jesus said nothing, therefore no fault was found in Him.
Luke 23:13-14
“And Pilate, when he had called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people, Said unto them, Ye have brought this man unto me, as one that perverteth the people: and, behold, I, having examined him before you, have found no fault in this man touching those things whereof ye accuse him:”
 
We too can choose to wisely remain silent amidst the persecution. Regardless of the false accusations or the suffering we endure, following Christ’s example of silence is most often the wisest way we can respond.
 
Silent Wisdom is heard louder than any words we could say.
 
 
Bible Reading:
Deuteronomy 13-14  |  Mark 10  |  Proverbs 24

Proverbs 23:6-8
“Eat thou not the bread of him that hath an evil eye, neither desire thou his dainty meats: For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee. The morsel which thou hast eaten shalt thou vomit up, and lose thy sweet words.”

As the old and truthful adage goes, actions speak louder than words.

Regardless of the words we or others say, the choices we make in our reactions and inactions reveal the true state of our hearts where war often takes place.

Psalm 55:21
“The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart: his words were softer than oil, yet were they drawn swords.”

Does war rage within your heart today? 
We may be able to hide our thoughts from those around us, but there is One Who always knows our hearts.

Matthew 9:3-4
“And, behold, certain of the scribes said within themselves, This man blasphemeth. And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts?”

Mark 7:6
“He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.”

War and Wisdom cannot reside together without conflict. 
We must proactively choose between walking in the Spirit or giving in to the lust of our flesh.

Galatians 5:16-17
“This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.”

Evaluate the state of your own heart today.

James 3:13-17
“Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.”


Bible Reading:
Deuteronomy 11-12  |  Mark 9  |  Proverbs 23

Proverbs 23:4-5
“Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom. Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven.”

What are you working for today? 
Perhaps the more important question is why are you working?

Some work to survive, some to save, and some to spend.
Riches have wings; they quickly disappear.
The more we have often means the faster we spend.

Psalm 135:15
“The idols of the heathen are silver and gold, the work of men's hands.”

When we work within our own wisdom, the results will be futile and become idols which hinder our walk with the Lord. Relying on our abilities and goodness will always end in disappointment, whereas if we choose to yield to the Wisdom of the Lord we cannot fail.

Matthew 6:19-21
“Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”

This is a simple example of how much more valuable it is to labour with eternal rewards in mind rather than earthly treasures. When the things of this world capture our focus and passion for living, we miss out on investing in eternity. 

Consider what drives your focus and passion for labouring today.
Evaluate why you choose to work and what your motives are while you are working. When we serve the Lord, He remembers our work for Him!

Hebrews 6:10
“For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.”

Oftentimes, the devil tries to convince us that the work we do for the Lord is too burdensome and of little value. Yet, little is much when God is in it! Nothing that we do for Him is a waste of time if He has orchestrated it. 

Galatians 6:9
“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”

1 Corinthians 15:58
“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.”

Working for Him is wise! 


Bible Reading:
Deuteronomy 9-10  |  Mark 8  |  Proverbs 22