A Christmas Story

Ebenezer Scrooge had lots of money, but no friends while Tiny Tim had no money, but lots of friends.  You don't have to be poor to be friendly, but you don't have to be friendly to be rich, either. At the end of the day, will you have treated others so that no matter what you have in the bank, you're well liked?

Proverbs 11:16 (HCSB): A gracious woman gains honor, but violent  men gain only riches.

Fire and water

Fury burns itself out, and anger eventually recedes, allowing relationships to be healed, but jealousy has no end and destroys relationships. Today, will you decide to let go of  your jealousy?

Proverbs 27:4 (HCSB): Fury is cruel, and anger a flood, but who can withstand jealousy?

Snow Cones

The only snow anyone wants in summer is a snow cone, and no one wants rain during a harvest because it means ruined crops. As these two things don’t go together and are unwanted, so are the actions of a fool. Instead of bringing respect, foolish actions disgust others. Will your actions  cause others to respect you today?

Proverbs 26:1 (HCSB): Like snow in summer and rain at harvest,
honor is inappropriate for a fool.

Timing

Timing isn’t important only for punchlines! Today, pray you’ll use the right words at the right time!

Proverbs 25:11 (HCSB): A word spoken at the right time is like gold apples on a silver tray.

Educational Opportunities

Education doesn’t occur only in school; knowledge can be discovered almost anywhere if you’re paying attention. What will you learn today?

Proverbs 21:11 (HCSB):  When a mocker is punished, the inexperienced become wiser;
when one teaches a wise man, he acquires knowledge.

The Gambler

In Kenny Roger’s song “Thr Gambler,” there’s a line that goes, “know when to hold’em, know when to fold’em.” In poker, if you don’t know when to hold or fold your cards, you’ll end up with nothing. In life, if you don’t work at the proper time, you’ll also end up with nothing.

Proverbs 20:4 (HCSB): The slacker does not plow during planting season;
at harvest time he looks,  and there is nothing.

No Escape

Unlike an escape room, there is no way out for those under God’s wrath, but for the righteous, there is freedom for everyone! If you’re trapped, call out to Jesus!

Proverbs 11:21 (HCSB): Be assured  that the wicked
will not go unpunished,
but the offspring of the righteous will escape

Filters

While it’s best to not think it, sometimes the best you can do is not say it! Will you filter your words today?

Proverbs 11:12 (HCSB): Whoever shows contempt for his neighbor lacks sense,
but a man with understanding keeps silent.

Self-fulfilling prophecy

Like a self-fulfilling prophecy, those who look to God  for salvation find deliverance, while those who look for trouble find it.

Proverbs 11:8 (HCSB):  The righteous one is rescued from trouble;
in his place, the wicked one goes in.

Unseen Forces

A ship on the ocean, an eagle in the sky, and a  snake moving across rock. Each of these seem to move effortlessly because they are propelled by unseen forces. A young man wooing a woman is also motivared by a powerful but unseen force: Love! What’s your motivation today?

Proverbs 30:18–19 (HCSB):
Three things are beyond me;
four I can’t understand:
the way of an eagle in the sky,
the way of a snake on a rock,
the way of a ship at sea,
and the way of a man with a young woman.