August 1.
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“Sound judgment and prudence are the life of the soul.” Proverbs 3:21.
Prudence strikes a balance between fearful in-effectiveness and brash wastefulness.
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“Jesus loved Martha and Mary and Lazarus.” John 11:5.
Jesus needed and depended upon the special friendships of certain people.
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August 2.
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“Refuse not a kindness to him who asks if it is in your power to grant it.” Proverbs 3:27.
Be sensitive to the needs of others and willing to help whenever you can.
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“The master is here and wishes to see you.” John 11:29.
Jesus is careful to give special attention to his friends in time of need.
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August 3.
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“Plot no evil against your neighbor.” Proverbs 3:28.
Gossip, backbiting, slander, detraction; all destroy the author as well as the victim.
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“Jesus wept.” John 11:36.
Jesus is deeply moved at the misfortune and grief of others.
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August 4.
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“Do not pick any empty quarrel with a person who has done no harm.” Proverbs 3:30.
Discussion with difference of opinion leads to growth, but quarreling breeds destruction.
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“It is better for one man to die than for the whole nation to be destroyed.” John 11:49.
The high priest spoke a great truth even thought he knew it not.
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August 5.
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“Do not model your life on the conduct of the violent.” Proverbs 3:31.
Violence breeds violence and destruction but settles nothing.
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“Judas said this not because he cared for the poor but because he was a thief.” John 12:6.
Judas allowed selfish greed to grow into total betrayal.
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August 6.
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“Hold fast to discipline ... it is your life.” Proverbs 4:13.
Discipline is self-mastery that has been learned by conviction and practice.
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“Behold, your king is coming, riding on the foal of a donkey.” John 12:15.
The kingship of Jesus is found in service, not superficial glamor.
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August 7.
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“The path of the just is like the light at dawn; it will grow into full day.” Proverbs 4:18.
The honest, considerate, gentle, sensitive, kind person succeeds by helping others to succeed.
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“The hour has come. The Son of Man is to be glorified.” John 12:23.
Jesus was being sought by Jew and Gentile. His appeal was universal.
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August 8.
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“Keep watch over your heart since it is the wellspring of life.” Proverbs 4:23.
Desires lead to ambition, and ambition leads to goals. Therefore, keep the desires under control.
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“Unless the grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone.” John 12:24.
The total doctrine of resurrection: The seed sprouts the new plant that bears new fruit.
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August 9.
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“Find joy with the wife you married in your youth.” Proverbs 5:19.
Choose wisely - grow daily - live happily - share fully.
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“But it is for this reason I have come to this hour.” John 12:28.
Jesus knew the final hours would be terrifying but he went forward courageously.
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August 10.
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“Let love for the wife of your youth ever hold you captive.” Proverbs 5:19.
Love for your wife gives you the roots necessary for an effective productive life.
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“Walk while you have the light.” John 12:35.
Make use of the opportunities for good actions each day.
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August 11.
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“Your father‘s advice is a lamp and your mother‘s teaching a light.” Proverbs 6:23.
Parental advice, like good wine, is appreciated only as it ages.
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“He washed the feet of his disciples and dried them with a towel.” John 13:5.
Jesus said that he came to rule the world by serving. Here is one proof.
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August 12.
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“Can a person hug fire to his breast without setting his clothes on fire?” Proverbs 6:27.
The person who runs with danger will hurt himself and others.
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“I have given you an example and you must follow it exactly.” John 13:15.
The example of Jesus so needed today: Love must be expressed in generous service.
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August 13.
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“Can a man walk on red hot coals without burning his feet?” Proverbs 6:28.
Count the probabilities and accept the consequences of your decisions.
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“By this love shall all men know you are my disciples.” John 13:35.
Your love for your neighbor is the most positive evidence of the truth of Christ.
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August 14.
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“Wisdom is the source of discretion, the beginning of clear thinking.” Proverbs 8:12.
Discretion means weighing all pertinent evidence and then making a balanced judgment.
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“In my father‘s house there is room for everyone.” John 14:2.
No one is excludeded from the happiness offered by Jesus unless the person excluded himself.
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August 15.
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“Wisdom is good advice, sound judgment, clear perception, and strength.” Proverbs 8:14.
The wise man listens to others, thinks for himself and acts decisively.
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“Now my soul is deeply disturbed.” John 12:27.
Jesus was truly courageous. He was frightened and yet he conquered fear and continued.
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August 16.
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“Correct a wise man and he will learn yet more.” Proverbs 9:9.
The wise man sees the eyes of others as mirror to reflect the image he is making.
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“Now the prince of this world is to be overthrown.” John 12:31.
The selfishness of man will be totally offset by the generosity of Christ -- the new Adam.
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August 17.
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“A wise child is the parents‘ joy.” Proverbs 10:1.
The wise child knows how to listen carefully, think responsibility, and act prudently.
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“Now that his hour had come, Jesus wished to show how complete his love was.” John 13:1.
Jesus’s love for us is the love that brings all things to complete fulness.
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August 18.
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“The heart of a wise man is obedient to instruction.” Proverbs 10:8.
The heart can be a very erratic guide unless it is led by an informed mind.
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“If I do not wash you, you can have no part with me.” John 13:8.
To share with others you must be ready, not only to give, but to receive.
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August 19.
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“He walks securely whose ways are upright.” Proverbs 10:9.
Upright ways are secure because they are built from knowledge, advice, conviction and commitment.
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“I give you a new commandment: Love one another as I have loved you.” John 13:34.
The love of Jesus is new because of his generous love and respect for every person.
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August 20.
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“Wise men store up knowledge.” Proverbs 10:14.
Knowledge is a treasure that must first be sought after and then earned.
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“Do not let your hearts be troubled.” John 14:1.
Your convictions in Christ must be tested by your actions each day.
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August 21.
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“The lips of holy men silence hatred.” Proverbs 10:18.
Holiness is sincere effective love. Love stifles hatred.
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“I am going to prepare a place for you.” John 14:3.
Whatever, whereever, we know it is as satisfying as Christ himself.
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August 22.
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“The prudent man has his lips under control.” Proverbs 10:19.
Prudence means you weigh the results for yourself and others before you speak or act.
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“I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life.” John 14:6.
The WAY leads to the Father, the TRUTH explains the details and the FRUIT is life eternal.
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August 23.
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“The lips of the judge man are running over with kindness.” Proverbs 10:32.
Because he is wise, prudent and holy, the words of the just man help everyone.
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“He who sees me sees the Father.” John 14:9.
We can know who and what God is by the example of Jesus.
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August 24.
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“The lips of the just man are running over with kindness.” Proverbs 10:32.
Kind words spring spontaneously to the lips of a person who is sensitive to others.
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“Whoever believes in Jesus will perform even greater works.” John 14:12.
This greater work is the effective power of Christian love.
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August 25.
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“Honest men have their own honestly as a guide.” Proverbs 11:3.
Self assurance is one of the rewards of a clear conscience.
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“If anyone loves me he will keep my word.” John 14:23.
Obedience to the ideals of Christ is the only source of true love.
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August 26.
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“A city is built on the blessings of just men.” Proverbs 11:11.
By their lives, upright, honest, law-abiding citizens make a city liveable.
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“Peace I leave with you as my final gift.” John 14:27.
Peace is the sum total of all the good things that man can share.
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August 27.
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“A gossip lets secrets out: A trustworthy man keeps his mouth closed.” Proverbs 11:13.
The gossip has a compulsion to reach every pair of ears he sees.
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“I am the true vine.” John 15:1.
Jesus restored the fruitful productive vine that God wanted.
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August 28.
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“He who sows good deeds reaps a solid reward.” Proverbs 11:18.
Hours of patient practice and preparation are the only guarantee of a trophy.
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“The branch that bears no fruit will be cut away.” John 15:2.
The lazy non-productive person is rejected by Christ.
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August 29.
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“He who misgoverns his house inherits the wind.” Proverbs 11:29.
Misgovernment by tyrany or indulgence is self-destructive.
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“No one can come to the Father except through me .” John 14:6.
The only way to establish the family of man with God as Father is in Jesus.
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August 30.
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“Nothing shakes the roots of the just man.” Proverbs 12:3.
The root system hidden underground guarantees the life of the tree. So with the upright, considerate men.
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“I am in the Father and the Father is in me.” John 14:11.
Jesus, as perfect son, manifests the Father perfectly.
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August 31.
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“A good wife is a husband‘s crown.” Proverbs 12:4.
But only the deserving king can comfortably wear this crown.
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“I will not leave you orphans.” John 14:18.
Jesus, the perfect son, shows us who and what the Father is.
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