Integrity

The godly walk with integrity;
    blessed are their children who follow them.
      (Psalm 20:7) (NLT)

Who are you?
Do your words match your actions?
Is your life a consistent whole?
Or are there parts of you that you hide away,
     concealing them from others?
Integrity brings its own happiness,
     and blesses those around you.

Father, help me to be honest with You, 
     with myself, and with others.  

Timing is Everything

A sluggard does not plow in season;
    so at harvest time he looks but finds nothing.
        (Proverbs 20:4)

Timing is everything.
The wise person considers 
the consequences of action versus inaction.
Plow at the appropriate time.
Plant at the appropriate time.
Then you can harvest in the fullness of time.

Father, give me insight to act and speak at the right moment. 

Quarrel or Hold My Tongue?

It is to a man’s honor to avoid strife,
    but every fool is quick to quarrel.
       Proverbs 20:3

The wise person knows that there is a time to speak up,
     defending a person or a principle.
There are many more times
     when speaking up is unnecessary and counterproductive.
Don't feel like you have to set everybody straight.  
     That's one distinguishing mark of a fool. 

Wisdom, Father! In Your mercy give me wisdom!

Hasty Pudding

It is not good to have zeal without knowledge,
    nor to be hasty and miss the way.
      (Proverbs 19:2)

Haste makes waste.
Several times I've pulled my car too quickly from a parking place,
     with expensive consequences.
I don't want to dilly-dally,
     but it's also FOOL-hardy to rush forward in a course of action 
          without taking a moment to consider the consequences.

Father, give me wisdom and sensitivity to what You're doing,
     so that I can move ahead in step with You --
          not too slow, not too fast. Amen.

Forgive and Forget

    

Smart people know how to hold their tongue;

   their grandeur is to forgive and forget.

      (Proverbs 19:11 - The Message) 

There are many foolish people in the world.

     They are often known by their many words.

The wise woman has learned when to speak

     and when to be silent.

The bigger man has experienced enough

     of God’s “forgive-and-forget” grace

          that he wants to extend that grace to others.

Father, help me to extend Your grace to others today.

     Show me how to forgive and forget. Amen.  

An Offended Brother

An offended brother 
     is more unyielding than a fortified city, 
        and disputes are like the barred gates of a citadel.
           (Proverbs 18:19)

When we argue and disagree, 
     some of us close ourselves off from our friends.
We want to protect ourselves, 
     so we build relational walls.
Our pride is hurt, and we are unwilling 
     to do the counter-intuitive thing --
          to reach through our hurt 
               and draw the other person close again.

But the bigger person will act in love
     even if the feelings are not there.
The person of good character will actively seek restoration.
The godly person will pray and act 
     on the principle of grace -- extending undeserved favor.

Father, cleanse my heart today. 
Fill me with Your Spirit once again.
Help me to follow You in grace and forgiveness
     actively seek to restore a friendship. Amen.

Poison or Fruit?

Words kill, words give life;
    they’re either poison or fruit—you choose.

      (Proverbs 18:21 - The Message)

We don't think much about the words we speak,
     or the manner in which we speak them.

It is within your power to communicate harshly, 
     using sarcasm and bitterness.
          cutting others down, 
               and even destroying ourselves 
                    by false or discouraging conversation.
  
Or you can choose to encourage, to build others up,
     speaking in faith, with hope and optimism.

So today: Will it be poison or fruit?

Holy Spirit, 
     fill me and control my heart and tongue today.
Grant that I may think and speak the truth 
     with grace and faith and love.