January 14, 2019 · 11:42 am

Day 14 Proverbs Challenge: Strength for the Journey

by Sharman J. Monroe

“Where no oxen are, the trough is clean;
But much increase comes by the strength of an ox.”

Proverbs 14:4 (NJKV)

I’m the kind of person who starts a project on Monday and wants to complete it perfectly by Friday. I don’t want to face any hiccups or any adversity from people or anything negative. I want everything to go smoothly and effortlessly. Everyone I approach says yes and all the pieces fall seamlessly into place. Ta-dah! But that is not reality. Sometimes life goes smoothly, but most of the time it does not.

The Word teaches us that smooth sailing 100% of the time is not reality. Jesus warned us that in this world we would have tribulation — trials, trouble, distress — but let us know that He conquered the tribulations (John 16:33). First Corinthians 16:9 says, “For a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.” Oh, great! Continue reading →

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January 13, 2019 · 12:00 pm

Day 13 Proverbs Challenge: Don’t! Stop! Nurturing A Teachable Spirit

by Harriett V. Bennett

A wise child accepts a parent’s discipline; a mocker refuses to listen to correction.

Proverbs 13:1 (NLT)

As Pamela Wright read this scripture in Sunday School, she couldn’t help but smile, remembering how, in her youth, she misunderstood this scripture because she thought, back then, her older brother and sister must have been the “wisest” people she knew. It seemed like they were always “accepting discipline” from their mother and father.  That was until she actually realized that they didn’t have much choice in the matter.  If one did something, the other one was close by.  They were thick as thieves, like two peas in a pod, like night and, well, night.  Pamela grew up in a loving home, the middle child in a family of seven siblings.  It was an interesting position to be in.  She was in-between two groups of attention grabbers: there were the older kids who were taking chances occasionally doing the wrong thing and the younger kids, the little cutie pies who could do no wrong.  And there she was in the middle.

Now let me get back to my opening statement.  Continue reading →

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January 12, 2019 · 5:58 pm

Day 12 Proverbs Challenge: Preparation & Opportunities

by Latricia C. Bailey

 “He who gathers during summer and takes advantage of his opportunities is a son who acts wisely, But he who sleeps during harvest and ignores the moment of opportunity is a son who acts shamefully.”
Proverbs 10:5 (AMP)

God’s Word tells us that man plans his way, but God directs his path. I often think of this verse to mean that no matter what my plans are, God is going to direct me. While this may be the case, Proverbs 10 encourages us to make wise use of our seasons, especially summertime, to plan. Proverbs tells us that this time of the year is when strategizing and preparing for the remainder of the year are instrumental in allowing us to be ready to reap. Continue reading →

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January 11, 2019 · 11:55 am

Day 11 Proverbs Challenge: Open Your Hand

by Sharman J. Monroe

“There is the one who [generously] scatters [abroad], and yet increases all the more;
And there is the one who withholds what is justly due, but it results only in want and poverty.”

Proverbs 11:24 (AMP)

The world economy is self-based. Get stuff and keep your stuff to yourself. After all, you worked for it. Make sure your stuff is bigger and better than your neighbor’s stuff. Hoard your money, time, skills and talents. There’s no such thing as free; everything has a price tag attached to it. I got mine and no one helped me so I’m not gonna help you get yours.

God’s economy, however, is selfless-based. Continue reading →

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