“A wife of noble character, who can find?”🙋🏾‍♂️

Proverbs 31:10-31 is a very popular passage. It is used to encourage wives. The section below is a reminder to husbands to affirm their wives. Trust me when I tell you, I have messed this up in the past. 

The relationship between a husband and a wife should mirror the relationship between Christ and the Church. Think about the sacrifice that Jesus made for the Church. Think about the service the Church is supposed to do for Jesus. This a view of marriage. 

As you picture this relationship, be careful not to infuse your culture into the definition. Study your Bible to get a view of the marriage relationship between Christ and the Church.

Married or not, live a life of service to Jesus. People are watching. They need Christ-like examples of living. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Proverbs 31:10-12

10 A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. 11 Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. 12 She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.

Today’s Reading:

Proverbs 31

Spend time meditating on this section of the Proverbs. Think about what this means as we live out these words. As you accept this truth, it will embolden your walk with Christ. You have access to His Word like no generation before you. And even with the availability to God’s Word, we still choose not to read daily, in the same manner that we breathe oxygen. That should not be. 

Choose to put God first. Spend real time in His Word. As we continue through this year’s reading plan, you are going to have some long chapters to read. So what! Read them. Place the highest priority on consuming God’s Word. After all, it is flawless. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Proverbs 30:5-6

5 “Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. 6 Do not add to his words, or he will rebuke you and prove you a liar.

Today’s Reading:

Proverbs 30

Have you ever gotten so upset you couldn’t think straight? I certainly have. In those times, I struggled with bridling my tongue. Do you have that problem?

This proverb can be a reminder to us to practice restraint when it comes to responding in anger. We must always honor God with our actions, even when we are upset. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Proverbs 29:11

11 Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end.

Today’s Reading:

Proverbs 29

Transparency is important to a right walk with Christ. But, man, is it difficult. When we sin, our natural instinct is to hide it from others. This seems like a great idea until we start holding that sin over our heads. We decide what God can and can’t do through our lives based on this hidden sin. 

James 5:16 tells us to confess our sin to one another. When we do, we are set free from the bondages that sin can have on our life. 

Do you have hidden sin? I encourage you to find a mature Christian to whom you can confess this sin. It will be a challenge, but one that is well worth it. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Proverbs 28:13

13 Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.

Today’s Reading:

Proverbs 28

This passage is one we should all apply to our lives. We must be careful not to get so fixated on the future that we forget to live for Christ today. 

In his letter, James warns us not to boast about tomorrow. He gives us a warning that we should heed. In Matthew’s gospel we read Jesus preaching His Sermon on the Mount in which He says, “do not worry about tomorrow.” 

If the Bible teaches us not to focus on tomorrow, we should adjust our lives accordingly. Yes, we can make plans for tomorrow, but we should do it with the understanding that God is in control and He does not owe us a tomorrow. Let’s serve Him wholeheartedly today and let Him be concerned about tomorrow. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Proverbs 27:1

Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.

Today’s Reading:

Proverbs 27

In my classroom I will frequently respond to a student’s request for information that has nothing to do with them or the day’s teaching topic by saying, “That’s a little thing I like to call, my business.” We laugh and move on. 

As I read this passage, I thought about that silly quip. How often do you put yourself in someone else’s business then find yourself stressing the situation that you should have never been a part of? 

I encourage you to be mindful of your words. Do not allow your curiosity to have too much “power” over your actions. You have enough to take care of as you follow God and do what He’s called you to do. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Proverbs 26:17

17 Like one who grabs a stray dog by the ears is someone who rushes into a quarrel not their own.

Today’s Reading:

Proverbs 26

“Imma treat you the way you treat me” is one of the most UNBiblical attitudes a Christian can have. Could you imagine if God took on that attitude? EXACTLY!

Listen to the words of this proverb and live it out. You may also recognize it from Paul quoting it in Romans 12. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Proverbs 25:21-22

21 If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. 22 In doing this, you will heap burning coalson his head, and the Lord will reward you.

Today’s Reading:

Proverbs 25

With over thirty years of sports coaching experience, I have a keen understanding  of this proverb from a worldly perspective. Which is nice, but not helpful in my walk with Christ. However, God, by the power of the Holy Spirit, has used that “worldly perspective” to help me understand the spiritual implications of this passage. 

As we focus on the “religious” aspects of our walk with Christ, we can fall into a trap. How? By thinking that going to church, being nice to people, feeding the hungry, and teaching a Bible study is what God wants from us. The words found in Matthew 7 clearly tell us that these things are not enough. 

God wants a relationship with you. He wants you to spend time with Him. He wants you to cut things out of your life that do not honor Him. He wants you to live your life in such a way that people will see your life and glorify His name. If you do not, then spiritual poverty will come on you like a thief and spiritual scarcity like an armed man. And that can lead to eternal separation from God. Take heart. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Proverbs 24:32-34

32 I applied my heart to what I observed and learned a lesson from what I saw: 33 A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest—34 and poverty will come on you like a thief and scarcity like an armed man.

Today’s Reading:

Proverbs 24

This proverb reminds me of how easy it is to lose focus. It can be a challenge to look at the success of someone who gets it done by any means possible. This can be magnified if we are losing promotions and pay raises to such a person. 

Please let these words be a reminder that doing the right thing, in Christ, is never wrong. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Proverb 23:17-18

17 Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always be zealous for the fear of the Lord. 18 There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.

Today’s Reading:

Proverbs 23

This passage reminds me of a time my Uncle Paul warned me of impending danger, but I did not listen. 

I was petting a dog and rubbing my face on the side of its face. My uncle said, “Gregg, that dog is about to bite you.” To which I said, “This dog is not going to bite me. He loves me.” 

I barely got those words out of my mouth, before the dog bit me in the face. I was shocked, the dog walked away, and my uncle had that “I told you so” look on his face. 

Taking sound advice is always the right thing. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Proverbs 22:3

3 The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty.

Today’s Reading:

Proverbs 22

Talk about a definitive proverb. This is clear. The only question is, will you heed it or challenge it. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Proverbs 21:30

30 There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the Lord.

Today’s Reading:

Proverbs 21

This proverb jumped off the page for me. In all the times I’ve read this proverb, I never noticed the possible link between Proverb 20:21 and Luke 15:11-32. 

After reading this passage, head over to Luke and see what I mean. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Proverbs 20:21

21 An inheritance claimed too soon will not be blessed at the end.

Today’s Reading:

Proverbs 20

If this passage is in this proverb twice, we should pay attention. How often do you tell a “little white lie” because it won’t hurt anyone? Those are hurting you. They compromise your witness. They create a wedge between you and God. 

Think about this. Who told you it was okay to tell a “little white lie?” I’m supremely confident it wasn’t God. So why are you doing it? Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Proverbs 19:5 & 9

5 A false witness will not go unpunished, and whoever pours out lies will not go free.

9 A false witness will not go unpunished, and whoever pours out lies will perish.

Today’s Reading:

Proverbs 19

*WARNING: Extremely long text ahead. Read and heed every word!*

For the past few weeks, a thought has been building up steam headed towards fruition. I am not sure if it will be another book I author or a documentary I will need help in creating. It is the Americanization of Christianity. 

Proverbs 18:2 hit me hard. It brought to the front of my mind all the theology and “Christian” opinions that I hear daily. In America, we have created a “god” that is responsible for every wrong in our lives. We have absolved ourselves from the consequences of free will. We have put God on notice.

This mentality is the embodiment of the fool mentioned in Proverbs 18:2. The scary part is, you cannot help an Americanized Christian. They are so entrenched in the belief of the god they know that they will quite literally go to their grave believing in their god. 

Please join me as I spend time in prayer today for that very person. Do a deep dive into your own life. Make sure you do not suffer from American Christianity Syndrome. Seek God. Ask the hard questions and allow Him to answer. Contrary to popular belief, God does not owe you a cushy, problem-free life. He owes you death for your disobedience. A disobedience that you could never, nor did ever repay. HE paid for YOUR sin with HIS life. Let that sink in!

If you are not earnestly seeking God daily, please start. If you are putting your family, your job, your daily activities, your friends, and your dreams before seeking God, STOP! Anything that comes before God is an abomination to Him. He will deal with it. Give it to Him before He takes it away. 

Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Proverbs 18:2

2 Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions.

Today’s Reading:

Proverbs 18

*Challenge Coming*

There are several gems in Proverbs 17. However, this one stood out to me because I’m in a season of life where God has allowed me to pour into a group of young men and He is allowing them to pour into me. As you read your Bible daily, seek a group of friends that point you to the Father. 

Here’s the challenge: Do an inventory of your “best friends.” Those who do not point you to Christ, may need to be demoted to acquaintance. This means you have a relationship with them but you are careful about taking their advice or sharing certain details of your life. This may seem harsh. Trust me, it will be the best thing you will ever do for your faith walk and maybe your stress levels too. 

If you have an inner circle of more than five people, this challenge is one you do not want to skip. Jesus had an inner circle of three people, Peter, John, and James. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Proverbs 17:17

17 A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.

Today’s Reading:

Proverbs 17

“What about them?”

When I was a kid, and probably well into adulthood, I wondered why people around me, whom I saw doing the wrong thing, would not get “caught” or “punished” for what they did. As I’ve grown in my faith, I’ve changed my thinking from “what about them” to “pray for them.” 

No person is allowed to disobey God without consequence. That includes both believers and non-believers. Never forget that we serve a just God. If Moses, David, and Samson were held accountable for their disobedience, rest assured so will everyone. 

I encourage you to seek God, obey His Word, and live well. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Proverbs 16:5

5 The Lord detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished.

Today’s Reading:

Proverbs 16

During my time in seminary, I had to take a class on methods of preaching. As a class, each person had to preach four sermons. Two of our sermons came from the book of James. I chose James 3:1-12. I titled the messages, “What You Say Matters.” This passage brought me back to those two sermons.

In your daily walk, please be mindful that the words you say have power. They matter. I encourage you to season your words with the Word of God. Then you will not have to worry about what you’re going to say. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Proverbs 15:1-2

15 A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. 2 The tongue of the wise adorns knowledge, but the mouth of the fool gushes folly.

Today’s Reading:

Proverbs 15

Proverbs 9:10 says the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. As we read in these passages, fear of the Lord is necessary for right living with God through Jesus Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Proverbs 14:26-27

26 Whoever fears the Lord has a secure fortress, and for their children it will be a refuge. 27 The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, turning a person from the snares of death.

Today’s Reading:

Proverbs 14

At the end of one of the raps I do, I say, “Righteousness is always followed by right living, so do the right thing.” I have been that person who did not pursue righteousness, yet wanted people to view me as a righteous person. That can never be. 

As we look at these two proverbs, we see that living right is the only way to produce righteousness. There are no shortcuts. Trust me, I tried! Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Proverbs 13:5-6

5 The righteous hate what is false, but the wicked make themselves a stench and bring shame on themselves. 6 Righteousness guards the person of integrity, but wickedness overthrows the sinner.

Today’s Reading:

Proverbs 13

Mansplaining, Womansplaining, and other phrases are hurting our society. We spend time devaluing advice because of the packaging or our “foreknowledge.” It is in our best interest to listen patiently to people. You never know who God will use to give you the answer to the question you’ve asked in prayer. 

The next time you get “splained” to, be careful not to get an attitude. The very words that you want to “blow off” could be the very words that God will use to give you a breakthrough in your life. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Proverbs 12:15

15 The way of fools seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice.

Today’s Reading:

Proverbs 12