Bible Devotion:

Proverbs 17:24
“Sensible people keep their eyes glued on wisdom,
but a fool’s eyes wander to the ends of the earth.”

Quote from Life Application Study Bible:
While there is something to be said for having big dreams,
this proverb points out the folly of chasing fantasies.

How much better to align your goals with God’s,
being the kind of person he wants you to be!

Such goals (wisdom, honesty, patience, love) may not seem exciting,
but they will determine your eternal future.
Take time to think about your dreams and goals,
and make sure they cover the really important areas of life.

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Bible Devotion:

Proverbs 13:10
“Pride leads to conflict;
those who take advice are wise”

Quote from Life Application Study Bible:
“I was wrong” or “I need advice” are difficult phrases to utter because they require humility.
Pride is an ingredient in every quarrel.
It stirs up conflict and divides people.

Humility, by contrast, heals. Guard against pride.
If you find yourself constantly arguing, examine your life for pride.
Be open to the advice of others, ask for help
when you need it, and be willing to admit your mistakes.

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Bible Devotion:

Proverbs 12:23
“The wise don’t make a show of their knowledge,
but fools broadcast their foolishness.”

Quote from Life Application Study Bible:
Wise people have a quiet confidence. Unstable people (fools) feel the need to prove themselves,
but wise people don’t have to prove anything.

They know they are capable, so they can get on with their work.
Beware of showing off.

If you are modest, people may not notice you at first, but they will respect you later.

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Bible Devotion:

Proverbs 1:7
“Fear of the LORD is the foundation of true knowledge,
  but fools despise wisdom and discipline.”

Quote from Life Application Study Bible:
One of the most annoying types of people is a know-it-all,
a person who has a dogmatic opinion about everything, is closed to anything new,
resents discipline, and refuses to learn.

Solomon calls this kind of person a fool.
Don’t be a know-it-all.
Instead, be open to the advice of others,
especially those who know you well and can give valuable insight and counsel.

Learn how to learn from others.
Remember, only God knows it all.

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Bible Devotion:

Psalm 144:3-4
“O LORD, what are human beings that you should notice them,
mere mortals that you should think about them? For they are like a breath of air;
their days are like a passing shadow.”

Quote from Life Application Study Bible:
Life is short. David reminds us that it is “like a breath” and that our “days are like a passing shadow.”
Because life is short, we should live for God while we have the time.
Don’t waste your life by selecting an inferior purpose that has no lasting value.
Live for God-he alone can make your life worthwhile, purposeful, and meaningful.

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Bible Devotion:

Psalm 139:23-24
“Search me, O God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
Point out anything in me that offends you,
and lead me along the path of everlasting life.”

Quote from Life Application Study Bible:
David asked God to search for sin and point it out, even to the level of testing his thoughts.
This is exploratory surgery for sin.
How are we to recognize sin unless God points it out?

Then, when God shows us, we can repent and be forgiven.
Make this verse your prayer.

If you ask the Lord to search your heart and your thoughts,
and to reveal your sin, you will be continuing on God’s
“path of everlasting life.”

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Bible Devotion:

Psalm 127:2
“It is useless for you to work so hard
from early morning until late at night,
anxiously working for food to eat;
for God gives rest to his loved ones.”

Quote from Life Application Study Bible:
God is not against human effort. Hard work honors God.
But working to the exclusion of rest or to the neglect of family may be a cover-up
for an inability to trust God to provide for our needs.

We all need adequate rest and times of spiritual refreshment.
On the other hand, this verse is not an excuse to be lazy.
Be careful to maintain a balance: work while trusting God, and also rest while trusting him.

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Bible Devotion:

Psalm 119:125
“Give discernment to me, your servant;
then I will understand your laws.”

Quote from Life Application Study Bible:
The psalmist asked God for discernment.
Faith comes alive when we apply Scripture to our daily tasks and concerns.

We need discernment so we can understand, and we need the desire to apply Scripture where we need help.
The Bible is like medicine-it goes to work only when we apply it to the affected areas.
As you read the Bible, be alert for lessons, commands, or examples that you can put into practice.

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Bible Devotion:

Psalm 118:24
“This is the day the LORD has made.
  We will rejoice and be glad in it.”

Quote from Life Application Study Bible:
There are days when the last thing we want to do is rejoice.
Our mood is down, our situation is out of hand, and our sorrow or guilt is overwhelming.
We can relate to the writers of the psalms who often felt this way.

But no matter how low the psalmists felt, they were always honest with God.
And as they talked to God, their prayers ended in praise.
When you don’t feel like rejoicing, tell God how you truly feel.
You will find that God will give you a reason to rejoice.
God has given you this day to live and to serve him-BE GLAD!

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Bible Devotion:

Psalm 117:1-2
“Praise the LORD, all you nations.
Praise him, all you people of the earth.
For he loves us with unfailing love;
the LORD’s faithfulness endures forever.
Praise the LORD!”

Quote from Life Application Study Bible:
Have you ever said, “I can’t think of anything God has done for me.
How can I praise him?”
This psalm gives two reasons for praising God: his great love toward us,
and his faithfulness that endures forever.

If he did nothing else for us, he would still be worthy of our highest praise.

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