Proverbs 11:22 - Inner Value

Proverbs 11:22

As a ring of gold in a swine's snout,

so is a beautiful woman who lacks discretion. 

Message: Inner Value

Time: Proverbs records multiple individuals as its author with Solomon as the principal author. Solomon died in 931 BC though most think the book was likely in its final form sometime before the end of Hezekiah’s reign in 686 BC. It is a book that instructs people on the path of wisdom. It speaks to all of life and living our lives under the authority and direction of God.

What the Lord is Saying: Interesting verse comparing something that is beautiful with something that is bad and then something that is not beautiful with something that is elegant. The basic idea is these two items combined are two characteristics that don't belong together. Gold in a pig. Beauty lacking discretion. And the two comparisons are two things people all enjoy - riches and beauty. Yet it seems wasteful to add riches to a pig and it should seem wasteful to have beauty added to someone that lacks discretion. 

A pig is an unclean animal. It is an animal by Jewish dietary laws that is not eaten. Gold as a precious metal metaphor represents wealth or something of value or something that is desirable. Thus, that which we desire is placed in something we don't. I Corinthians 15:33 says, "Bad company corrupts good character." Also 2 Corinthians 6:14, "Do not be unequally yoked." Both of these have similar ideas of not mixing value or what we want with what is not valuable. But also here is adding value to something that won't be appreciated. On the flip side we like taking things that appear to be worthless and converting them to value, such as repairing something used rather than replacing it, such as a car or anything. It is great to take something that is used up and giving it more life, but the problem here is being corrupted. 

To lack discretion is to not think before one speaks. This is a person that needs to be careful with their speech. It is a person that needs to be cautious about what they say, especially as it relates to others. We are to value inner beauty. In Proverbs, "Charm is deceitful." Words are more important than looks. What we hear, more important than what we see as far as looks. As I have been reading through the books of Joshua and the Judges, people like Saul and Adonijah were described first about their looks. Their character was not of the importance that stood out but rather their looks and those individuals did not end up leading well. 

Prayer: O God, you are rich in mercy. Your ways are the best ways and here is the reminder that there is more than meets the eye and we should be more focused on inner beauty and inner value and how we speak and conduct ourselves instead of focusing on what simply is pleasing to our eye or even our pocketbook. Redefine this in our lives. Thank you for helping me see the importance of this in my life. Keep showing me. I thank you for the beauty of my wife but it only means something because of how wonderful she is as a person. This is when the beauty really stands out in her because of how caring and loving she is to me and others. Her playful ways. Her discretion to be careful about what she wears and how she presents herself. I am so thankful for her and how you have trained her to be Godly. Help me always to value this and not get so caught up in looks and beauty. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.

Jesus Calling: November 10

Focus your entire being on My living Presence. I am most assuredly with you, enveloping you in My Love and Peace. While you relax in My Presence, I am molding your mind and cleansing your heart. I am recreating you into the one I designed you to be.
     As you move from stillness into the activities of your day, do not relinquish your attentiveness to Me. If something troubles you, talk it over with Me. If you get bored with what you are doing, fill the time with prayers and praise. When someone irritates you, don't let your thoughts linger on that person's faults. Gently nudge your mind back to Me. Every moment is precious if you keep your focus on Me. Any day can be a good day, because My Presence permeates all time.

Psalm 89:15-16

English Standard Version

Blessed are the people who know the festal shout,
who walk, O Lord, in the light of your face,
who exult in your name all the day
and in your righteousness are exalted.

I John 3:19-20

English Standard Version
By this we shall know that we are of the truth and reassure our heart before him; for whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything.

Jude 24-25
English Standard Version
Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.

Psalm 41:12
English Standard Version
But you have upheld me because of my integrity,
and set me in your presence forever.

My Prayer (2022)

Lord, I notice in my life a habit forming of not thinking of You first when I experience trials, difficult situations. Instead, I think of first -- who can I talk with, who will listen to me. Lord, would you re-train me to go to you first? Nudge me back to You. You know everything and yet I too often act like you are a last resort than a first solution. Thank you for placing good people in my life and I do value their words and their listening ear, and I will continue to consult them, but first let me start with You God. Lord, I do ask that I am the person that You see that listens to You and will relax in Your presence. 

Note: The devotion and scriptures are from author Sarah Young. If you haven't already, please purchase the book and support the author.

Also, bookmark https://bibletags.blogspot.com/2019/06/jesus-calling-366-days.html to have an easy link to the entire year of these entries.

Jesus Calling: June 27

Rest with Me a while. You have journeyed up a steep, rugged path in recent days. The way ahead is shrouded in uncertainty. Look neither behind you nor before you. Instead, focus your attention on Me, your constant Companion. Trust that I will equip you fully for whatever awaits you on your journey.
     I designed time to be a protection for you. You couldn't bear to see all your life at once. Though I am unlimited by time, it is in the present moment that I meet you. Refresh yourself in My company, breathing deep draughts of My Presence. The highest level of trust is to enjoy Me moment by moment. I am with you, watching over you wherever you go. 

Psalm 143:8
English Standard Version

Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love,
    for in you I trust.
Make me know the way I should go,
    for to you I lift up my soul.
 
Genesis 28:15
English Standard Version

Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.

My Prayer
Lord, I come to you in the morning. I seek you this day. You are with me. You live in me. I do not live my life alone. You are my protection, my rest. Wherever I go, you are there. I can trust You God. 

Note: The devotion and scriptures are from author Sarah Young. If you haven't already, please purchase the book and support the author.  

Also, bookmark https://bibletags.blogspot.com/2019/06/jesus-calling-366-days.html to have an easy link to the entire year of these entries.

Jesus Calling: June 3

     I want to be Central in your entire being. When your focus is firmly on Me, My Peace displaces fears and worries. They will encircle you, seeking entrance, so you must stay alert. Let trust and thankfulness stand guard, turning back fear before it can gain a foothold. There is no fear in My Love, which shines on you continually. Sit quietly in My Love-Light, while I bless you with radiant Peace. Turn your whole being to trusting and loving Me. 

2 Thessalonians 3:16
English Standard Version

Now may the Lord of peace Himself continually grant you peace in every circumstance. The Lord be with you all!

Verse thoughts
Peace. The deepest longing of every human soul is peace. In my house is a couch, a chair, and a bed and I often bounce between them - longing for rest, longing for peace. I know that my greatest joy is this peace - to know that everything is okay. I shirk away often from duty, avoid effort, in selfish absorption I seek for this down time, for this relaxation; I cry out for rest and peace. I grab a drink, a smoke, a pill - in order to remove quickly whatever pain I am experiencing at that moment. When I am sick or ill or have a family member hurting - I shake my finger at God. God knows I thirst for this rest and peace. It is not wrong to have peace. But I often mistranslate the meaning of the longing and think that resting on the couch and having another drink and never having a problem and never suffering and never going through a trial and never having a disappointment and always feeling safe and secure...is how I get peace. In my humanistic ways I take control and I decide how peace is defined. 

But God Himself, through the apostle Paul, speaks to me and tells me instead that the Lord Jesus Christ is the Lord of peace Himself. Christ is named as peace Himself. In other instances I have read of the God of peace, so this is either blasphemy or divinity in naming Jesus the Lord of peace. And in Jesus there was experiences in His life of sorrow, weeping, wonder, anger, pity, grief, and love. In other words, peace is not found in the avoidance of difficult duty; peace is not found in the shirking away of pains and struggles; peace is not found in the drink, in the smoking of whatever, in the pill. Rather, the One despised and forsaken of men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief - He is peace. Despite what I think and the way I have been so often trained I can only know peace when I am made alive in Christ. He had peace. And He who sent Me is with Me; He has not left Me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to Him. He has taught me through His example the perfect submission of His will; that resignation is peace, that the surrender of self-will is peace, that obedience is peace, that trust is peace and fellowship with the divine is peace. Despite all that occurred in His life on this earth, He had peace.

So He is the sole giver of it to others. As a sinner, my peace comes and goes. I submit to Him and I surrender all to Him because He always does the things that are pleasing to Him. So I confess Him as Lord, believe in Him, and that God raised Him from the dead. He saves me. And He is the only One who can grant me peace in every circumstance. And when I have this peace then disasters, calamities, sorrows, losses, trials, disappointments, sufferings -- all have no power over me. For I have the Lord of Peace. The Lord is with me. The Lord be with you all!

I John 4:18
English Standard Version

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love.

Note: The devotion and scriptures are from author Sarah Young. If you haven't already, please purchase the book and support the author.  

Also, bookmark https://bibletags.blogspot.com/2019/06/jesus-calling-366-days.html to have an easy link to the entire year of these entries.

Jesus Calling: May 30

     Time with Me cannot be rushed. when you are in a hurry, your mind flitters back and forth between Me and the tasks ahead of you. Push back the demands pressing in on you; create a safe space around you, a haven in which you can rest with Me. I also desire this time of focused attention and I use it to bless you, strengthening and equipping you for the day ahead. Thus, spending time with Me is a wise investment.
     Bring Me the sacrifice of your precious time. This creates sacred space around you--space permeated with My Presence and My Peace. 

Psalm 119:27
English Standard Version

Make me understand the way of your precepts,
    and I will meditate on your wondrous works.
 
2 Chronicles 16:9
English Standard Version

For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him. You have done foolishly in this, for from now on you will have wars.
 
Hebrews 13:15
New King James Version

Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. 

My Prayer (2018)
Right now, Lord, my mind is racing. I have so many things I am thinking about. There are so many seemingly responsibilities I seem to have in my life. And so, to take time, to pull back, and just rest in You and bring you my time. I don't know. I mean, right now, I'm up. I'm usually sleeping at 3:30am, but my mind is racing about the events of this week and work and my son and you know, everything, and I can't sleep. Lord, I look at these verses - meditate on your works and a heart that is not blameless and Lord, where is time even in my day right now to offer the sacrifice of praise to You. Lord, free me, even if it is just a few minutes. Lord, it makes no sense to me right now. What is going to change Lord? But whatever, I come to you this day. It doesn't make sense to me, but I do focus this moment on You. Free me, at least right now. Free me from what ails me. Be my refuge and my fortress, at least right now.

Note: The devotion and scriptures are from author Sarah Young. If you haven't already, please purchase the book and support the author. 

Also, bookmark https://bibletags.blogspot.com/2019/06/jesus-calling-366-days.html to have an easy link to the entire year of these entries.

Jesus Calling: May 16

     I am your Lord! Seek Me as Friend and Lover of your soul, but remember that I am also King of kings--sovereign over all. You can make some plans as you gaze into the day that stretches out before you. But you need to hold those plans tentatively, anticipating that I may have other ideas. The most important thing to determine is what to do right now, instead of scanning the horizon of your life, looking for things that need to be done, concentrate on the task before you and the One who never leaves your side. Let everything else fade into the background. This will unclutter your mind, allowing Me to occupy more and more of your consciousness.
     Trust Me to show you what to do when you have finished what you are doing now. I will guide you step by step, as you bend your will to Mine. Thus you stay close to Me on the path of Peace. 

Proverbs 19:21
English Standard Version
Many are the plans in the mind of a man,
    but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.

Luke 1:79
English Standard Version

to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,
    to guide our feet into the way of peace.

My Prayer (2018)
Lord, you are teaching me to talk to you throughout my day. As I talk to people throughout the day, I am to to talk to you. I don't necessarily need to stop, bow my head, but I can just voice to you as I would a friend. You are there, near, and I want you to guide my steps. Lord, I admit that many times I do get ahead of myself, planning my future when things can happen often to disrupt it. Help me God to organize myself. Lord, I do want to talk to you more, throughout my day, even as I go to work and work on tasks, I can talk to you as I do them. Then as I come home help me to not simply be a creature going from entertainment to entertainment but to seek you in my rest. I admit, often I sense your Spirit reminding me to pray and talk to you about me, about the other people in my life and often I don't do this, but instead revert to a habit that I have in my life and suddenly you are sort of squashed. Help me instead to bend my will to Yours.

Note: The devotion and scriptures are from author Sarah Young. If you haven't already, please purchase the book and support the author. 

Also, bookmark https://bibletags.blogspot.com/2019/06/jesus-calling-366-days.html to have an easy link to the entire year of these entries.

Jesus Calling: May 6

     Do not search for security in the world you inhabit. You tend to make mental checklists of things you need to do in order to gain control of your life. If only you could check everything off your list, you could relax and be at peace. But the more you work to accomplish that goal, the more things crop up on your list. The harder you try, the more frustrated you become.
     There is a better way to find security in this life. Instead of scrutinizing your checklist, focus your attention on My Presence with you. This continual contact with Me will keep you in My Peace. Moreover, I will help you sort out what is important and what is not, what needs to be done now and what does not. Fix your eyes not on what is seen (your circumstances), but on what is unseen (My Presence). 

Isaiah 26:3
New King James Version

You will keep him in perfect peace,
Whose mind is stayed on You,
Because he trusts in You.

2 Corinthians 4:18
English Standard Version

as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.

My Prayer (2018) - Lord, security and being safe is something in my world that I admit often is an idol. Our culture places such a premium on anything that threatens our safety to the point that I am not sure what this means to really ask you to keep me secure. At times, Lord, I run to you as a last resort or when all else fails. It is true Lord, I suffer from the sin of wanting to be in control of my life and my surroundings. In some ways, I've been trained by media to be fearful. And here is the reminder, once again, that there is a better way. Lord, you remind me once again how I need to be trained by you each day, even re-trained. Lord, I don't have it figured out. So I come to you, on this day, and ask you to shine a light into my life to help me understand that my security is in you, and that having your presence in my life is all I really need. 

Note: The devotion and scriptures are from author Sarah Young. If you haven't already, please purchase the book and support the author. 

Also, bookmark https://bibletags.blogspot.com/2019/06/jesus-calling-366-days.html to have an easy link to the entire year of these entries.

Jesus Calling: April 25

     Make Me your focal point as you move through this day. Just as a spinning ballerina must keep returning her eyes to a given point to maintain her balance, so you must keep returning your focus to Me. Circumstances are in flux, and the world seems to be whirling around you. The only way to keep your balance is to fix your eyes on Me, the One who never changes. If you gaze too long at your circumstances, you will become dizzy and confused. Look to Me, refreshing yourself in My Presence, and your steps will be steady and sure. 

Hebrews 12:2
English Standard Version

looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

Psalm 102:27
English Standard Version

But You are the same,
And Your years will not come to an end.


My Prayer
Lord, hear my prayer. Listen to my words of groaning. I need you every moment. I need you to work in my life and in the lives of my family members. You are the worker of all things good in our lives. I cannot will them to act, but you Lord, can stir in them a desire to glorify you through their words and deeds.  

Lord, I am living my life the best I know how; trying to be sensitive to you, but as my children are now out of our home, they are not near to my guidance when they were young and reaching up their hands to mine, crying out for help. It is hard as a parent to transition to them being on their own, but I want to trust You for their lives continually. Help them to remember only the good of my parenting and to make you their focal point throughout each day. Show them the unrest and dissatisfaction when they seek help from places outside of You. 

Note: The devotion and scriptures are from author Sarah Young. If you haven't already, please purchase the book and support the author.   

Also, bookmark https://bibletags.blogspot.com/2019/06/jesus-calling-366-days.html to have an easy link to the entire year of these entries.

Jesus Calling: March 16

    It is good that you recognize your weakness. That keeps you looking to Me, your Strength. Abundant life is not necessarily health and wealth; it is living in continual dependence on Me. Instead of trying to fit this day into a preconceived mold, relax and be on the lookout for what I am doing. This mind-set will free you to enjoy Me and to find what I have planned for you to do. This is far better than trying to make things go according to your own plan.

    Don't take yourself so seriously. Lighten up and laugh with Me. You have Me on your side, so what are you worried about? I can equip you to do absolutely anything, as long as it is My will. The more difficult your day, the more I yearn to help you. Anxiety wraps you up in yourself, trapping you in your own thoughts. When you look to Me and whisper My Name, you break free and receive My Help. Focus on Me, and you will find Peace in My Presence. 

Philippians 4:13
Amplified Bible
I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency].

Proverbs 17:22
English Standard Version
A joyful heart is good medicine,
but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

My Prayer

Lord, you remind me that it is in my weakness You are strong. Living in the world, I tend to define a great life by being healthy and/or being wealthy, but rather it is being In Christ and living my life depending on You Lord. It is in my weakness Lord that you are more clearly seen. Help me to not think that I should flee from things that make me uncomfortable. Lord, I don't want to live in fear, so impress on Me the victory I have in You. Lord, I can accept any situation and be content in it, not because I am special or have great peace of mind, but because You give me strength. 

Lord, help me to laugh more and not to take each moment so serious. There is joy in you. You tell me not to worry about anything, but rejoice always. Help me to get my focus on You and not on my circumstances. You are a great God and I can find Peace in Your Presence. 

Note: The devotion and scriptures are from author Sarah Young. If you haven't already, please purchase the book and support the author. 

Jesus Calling: February 27

    Keep your eyes on Me! Waves of adversity are washing over you, and you feel tempted to give up. As your circumstances consume more and more of your attention, you are losing sight of Me. Yet I am with you always, holding you by your right hand. I am fully aware of your situation, and I will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able to bear. 
    Your gravest danger is worrying about tomorrow. If you try to carry tomorrow's burdens today, you will stagger under the load and eventually fall flat. You must discipline yourself to live within the boundaries of today. It is in the present moment that I walk close to you, helping you carry your burdens. Keep your focus on My Presence in the present.

 

Psalm 73:23

English Standard Version

Nevertheless, I am continually with you;
    you hold my right hand.

1 Corinthians 10:13

English Standard Version

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

God is always there. Even in the midst of temptations, He is there providing a way out. We need to surrender to the Lord in adversity because our struggles are not a surprise to Him. Stay surrendered to the Lord today and let Him take care of the future.

My Prayer
Lord, help me to keep my eyes on You. Lord, you have created all so understanding me and my challenges and adversities is something You can handle. Help me to trust this. Lord, you know my tendency. It is to stay busy and active, to the point that I just don't think about the trials or difficulties. But maybe that is a good thing for it keeps me not thinking about those trials. Just keep me focused on eternal things.

Note: The devotion and scriptures are from author Sarah Young. If you haven't already, please purchase the book and support the author. 

Also, bookmark https://bibletags.blogspot.com/2019/06/jesus-calling-366-days.html to have an easy link to the entire year of these entries.

Jesus Calling: February 23

    Be on guard against the pit of self-pity. When you are weary or unwell, this demonic trap is the greatest danger you face. Don't even go near the edge of the pit. Its edges crumble easily, and before you know it, you are on the way down. It is ever so much harder to get out of the pit than to keep a safe distance from it. That is why i tell you to be on guard.
    There are several ways to protect yourself from self-pity. When you are occupied with praising and thanking Me, it is impossible to feel sorry for yourself. Also, the closer you live to Me, the more distance there is between you and the pit. Live in the Light of My Presence by fixing your eyes on Me. Then you will be able to run with endurance the race that is set before you, without stumbling or falling. 

Psalm 89:15-16

English Standard Version

Blessed are the people who know the festal shout,

    who walk, O Lord, in the light of your face,

who exult in your name all the day
    and in your righteousness are exalted.

Hebrews 12:1-2

New American Standard Bible

Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

I think the verses here are a better representation of the need. We are to submit and surrender to the Lord and let His Presence define our lives. Our focus is not to be on self, but on praising the Lord. The point is that I can at times get too focused on me that I forget the value that Christ has in me. I forget the new creature that I am and forget the hand of providence that he has in my life. 

My Prayer

Lord, set my ways, my walk on You. Help me to praise Your name throughout the day. You are there with me. You are there protecting me. Let me lay aside the worry and put aside the sin that really tangles me up. Instead turn me to run the race of following after Your commands and ways. You are my model Lord. Fix my eyes on You.

Lord, I admit, I am too focused on my problems right now. I feel almost a tug of war happening between problems, things I can't control, and surrendering to You. Lord, help me to put it in your hands. It is hard to watch your children make decisions that have immediately bad results. And its hard when they don't see any problem. It is like they are blind. But, I see it. i want them to demonstrate good habits -- now. I don't want to wait. 

But, you remind me it is a journey and not a sprint. And what i do want to do is give them to you. Help me to not give up and to realize that problems are a part of life. I guess I was getting comfortable and just enjoying good times, but Lord, I can still have peace in my life. 

Keep me on guard against the pit of self-pity. Keep me standing up, upright, firmly rooted in your foundation, believing that You can take care of this. Granted, I am impatient. I want it to be over now. Right now. But, though it isn't over, I can still trust You. 

Note: The devotion and scriptures are from author Sarah Young. If you haven't already, please purchase the book and support the author. 

Also, bookmark https://bibletags.blogspot.com/2019/06/jesus-calling-366-days.html to have an easy link to the entire year of these entries.

Jesus Calling: February 12

I am ever so near you, hovering over your shoulder, reading every thought. People think that thoughts are fleeting and worthless, but yours are precious to Me. I smile when you think lovingly of Me. My Spirit, who lives within you, helps you to think My Thoughts. As your thinking goes, so goes your entire being. 

Let Me be your positive Focus. When you look to Me, knowing Me as God with you, you experience Joy. This is according to My ancient design, when I first crafted man. Modern man seeks his positive focus elsewhere: in sports, sensations, acquiring new possessions. Advertising capitalizes on the longing of people for a positive focus in their lives. I planted that longing in human souls, knowing that only I could fully satisfy it. Delight yourself in Me; let Me become the Desire of your heart. 

Matthew 1:23
English Standard Version
 "Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
and they shall call his name Immanuel”
(which means, God with us).

Psalm 37:4
English Standard Version
Delight yourself in the LORD,
and he will give you the desires of your heart.

My Prayer
Lord, thanks for being with Me. Forgive me Lord for getting wrapped up in what I want out of ministry and life. You know Me right now and I'm hurting a little or am confused because all that I think people want out of me and value is my arms and legs, or me doing. They don't want my mind or thoughts. They don't even want to be questioned. But, just trust that their way is the best way. It's hard Lord. You have given me a longing and a desire within me. I want what is best for your church and yet it's hard when it feels like the church isn't getting what is best.

But, Lord, I put so much stake in a message or a program when You are the real answer. Prayer is what changes hearts. Your Word reminds us that for a need in the harvest the answer is prayer. You send out laborers to the harvest. So, Lord, are you sending me in this way. Is this what You are pushing me to do?

Lord, I'm amazed at how full each day is. There is so much to each day. There is so much wrapped up in it. Lord, I do want my thoughts to center on You. I don't want to be trained or coerced by the world and its ways. I know I tend to fill up my world with a lot of stuff. I have a hard time saying "no" to things. I want to try and fit it all in.

Lord, I pray for my kids and my family. Lord, I give them to You. I bring them to You like Abraham brought Isaac and placed him on the altar. They are in Your hands. I trust You for their outcomes. I pray for them. I pray for their strong growth in You. Define their world. Help my son Derek and his growing up time that he is experiencing and the pressure to fit in and go along and be a part of others. We haven't sheltered him, but have allowed him to roam and be. At times, he doesn't make good decisions. I pray that he would learn from his choices and most importantly, I want to encourage him to return to You. Give him wisdom. Give him zeal to do the work of his school work to the best of his ability. Bring good people into his life that can encourage him to be him, not simply to fit within a crowd. Bring people that make wise choices not simply choices to rebel the establishment or the tradition.

Note: The devotion and scriptures are from author Sarah Young. If you haven't already, please purchase the book and support the author. 

Also, bookmark https://bibletags.blogspot.com/2019/06/jesus-calling-366-days.html to have an easy link to the entire year of these entries.

Jesus Calling: February 3

I am with you and for you. You face nothing alone--nothing! When you feel anxious, know that you are focusing on the visible world and leaving Me out of the picture. The remedy is simple: Fix your eyes not no what is seen but on what is unseen. Verbalize your trust in Me, the Living One who sees you always. I will get you safely through this day and all your days. But you can find Me only in the present. Each day is a precious gift from My Father. How ridiculous to grasp for future gifts when today's is set before you! Receive today's gift gratefully, unwrapping it tenderly and delving into its depths. As you savor this gift, you find Me.

Romans 8:31

English Standard Version

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

2 Corinthians 4:18

English Standard Version
...as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.

Genesis 16:13-14

English Standard Version
So she called the name of the LORD who spoke to her, “You are a God of seeing,” for she said, “Have I [not] even here [in the wilderness] looked upon Him who sees me [and lived]?” Or have I hear also seen [the future purposes or designs of] Him Who sees me? Therefore the well was called Beer-lahai-roi [A well to the living One who sees me]; it is between Kadesh and Bered.


My Prayer
Lord, thank you for being my advocate. Thank You for choosing me and calling me to be Yours. You are with me every step of the way. I am never alone.

Lord, take away my anxiety and help me to not be worrisome. To keep You at the forefront, I need to stay on the high road and let you define the roller coaster of life.

Help me to fix my eyes on the unseen. To pray. To lean on You Father for everything. To trust in Your word. In Your way. To worship You. Lord, help me to not be quiet about my trust but to be vocal about it.

Lord, help me to thank You and realize the precious gift of each new day.

Lord, you have saved me by Your Grace, not by My efforts or works therefore, even as I walk through life, each day, I do not need to focus on My efforts, but instead fix my eyes on You and let You take the wheel and drive. You know the road better than I so let me trust You for each moment.

Note: The devotion and scriptures are from author Sarah Young. If you haven't already, please purchase the book and support the author. 

Also, bookmark https://bibletags.blogspot.com/2019/06/jesus-calling-366-days.html to have an easy link to the entire year of these entries.