December 1.
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“Better a salad with love than a thick steak and hatred to go with it.” Proverbs 15:17.
Neither poverty nor riches make joy and peace but love that accompanies them.
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“Be concerned for each other by promoting a response in love and good works.” Hebrews 10:24.
The power and attraction of good example can never be allowed to weaken.
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December 2.
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“Better a man master of himself than one that conquers a city.” Proverbs 16:32.
Self-control or self-mastery is the most basic and important part of all action.
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“Faith alone can establish the existence of realities not yet seen.” Hebrews 11:1.
Faith sets our roots deep in the past but gives growth in the present day.
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December 3.
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“Better a dry crust with peace than a house where feasting and quarreling go together.” Proverbs 17:1.
Peace and harmony depend not on what you have but on what you are and do.
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“Because of his faith, Abel offered God a more pleasing sacrifice.” Hebrews 11:4.
Abel was generous and offered of his best to show gratitude to God.
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December 4.
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“The fool does not like to think ... only air his opinions.” Proverbs 18:2.
Empty words can be recognized by lack of judgment, produce, counsel, knowledge and sensitivity.
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“By faith, Noah felt a holy fear and built an ark to save his family.” Hebrews 11:7.
Note how faith adapts each person to the needs of his time and place.
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December 5.
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“When there is lack of consideration, zeal is not good.” Proverbs 19:2.
Enthusiasm, not tempered by thoughtfulness, becomes wild-eyed fanaticism.
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“But now Christ has come as the high priest of all promised blessings.” Hebrews 9:11.
Religion can easily become bogged down with rituals, liturgies and words.
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December 6.
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“The one who goes too quickly misses the way.” Proverbs 19:2.
The scurrying, impatient person uses lots of energy but seldom reaches the goal.
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“In other words through the blood of Jesus we have the right to enter the holy place.” Hebrews 10:19.
This holy place is the presence of God which we are to manifest by our lives.
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December 7.
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“A man who finds bread sweet when gotten by fraud later has a mouth full of sand.” Proverbs 20:17.
Dishonesty seems easy and delightful until it catches up with the cheat.
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“Remain firm in the hope you profess, because the one who promises is faithful.” Hebrews 10:23.
God has not let people down but he always demand cooperation.
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December 8.
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“The glory of the young is their strength; the dignity of the aged is gray hairs.” Proverbs 20:29.
The young have the strength to reach their goals; the aged have gray hairs to prove they have arrived.
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“Faith alone can guarantee the blessings we hope for.” Hebrews 11:1.
This faith demands clear understanding and the conviction that follows.
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December 9.
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“An open town with no defenses is the man without self-control.” Proverbs 25:28.
Each uncontrolled feeling is an invitation to fault and failure.
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“By faith we understand the world was created by the word of God.” Hebrews 11:3.
Faith points out the wisdom of this creative plan which we are coming to know.
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December 10.
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“As iron is made finer by iron so a man is refined by contact with his neighbor.” Proverbs 27:17.
Rubbing shoulders with people around us points out our faults and helps us remove them.
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“Anyone who comes to God must believe that he is, and he rewards those who look for him.” Hebrews 11:16.
The summary of faith: deeper knowledge of God and man’s fulfillment in his service.
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December 11.
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“No flood, no raging stream can extinguish love.” Song of Songs 8:7.
True love has no weakness and is overcome by no enemy.
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“By faith, Abraham set out for a foreign land which was to be his inheritance.” Hebrews 11:8.
An understanding of faith means assessing all needs and problems of the day.
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December 12.
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“The fruit of honest labor is glorious and the root of understanding does not decay.” Wisdom 3:15.
Success gives renewed energy and zeal and experience gives greater stability.
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“By faith, Sarah was able to conceive the son of promise.” Hebrews 11:48.
Through the understanding and commitment of his mother, Issac was prepared for his role.
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December 13.
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“Arrogance and boasting are like a ship in a boiling sea leaving no trace.” Wisdom 5:10.
The stronger the voice of the braggart, the faster blows away the speaker’s identity.
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“These men and women are all heroes of faith but they received only part of the promise.” Hebrews 11:39.
Faith is powerful and effective because of man -- not in spite of men.
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December 14.
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“Arrogance and boasting are a bird in the air, leaving no proof of passing.” Wisdom 5:11.
The boastful man has only himself as a point of reference. He vanished with his own hot air.
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“With so many witnesses on every side, we too should run steadily in the race we have started.” Hebrews 12:1.
The evidence of the power of faith in the lives of these men, should convince us.
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December 15.
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“Arrogance and boasting are arrows shot through the air ... no mark of their passing.” Wisdom 5:12.
The braggart’s fame is as enduring as an arrow in flight.
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“For the sake of the joy to come, he endured the cross and ignored its shames.” Hebrews 12:2.
Though he was frightened, the faith of Jesus gave him courage to reach his goal.
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December 16.
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“Those who acquire wisdom win God‘s friendship.” Wisdom 7:14.
The truly believing person must have wisdom... not superstition, ignorance or fear.
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“Always seek peace with all people.” Hebrews 12:14.
As far as possible, try to get along with everyone.
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December 17.
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“Over wisdom evil can never triumph.” Wisdom 7:30.
This conquering wisdom must analyze all circumstances and take proper action.
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“Remember your leaders who preached the world of God to you.” Hebrews 13:7.
This remembrance shall lead you to give them remembrance and respect.
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December 18.
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“Wisdom uses all things in harmony with their nature.” Wisdom 8:1.
Wisdom is the foundation of all truly human use of the world around us.
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“Put greed out of your life and be content with whatever you have.” Hebrews 13:5.
Greed starts as a hidden fault and soon takes over the whole person.
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December 19.
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“Hands open to receive must not be closed when asked to give.” Sirach 4:30.
Love of neighbor must always form a full circuit - else it is folly.
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“By faith, Moses was carefully hidden and saved as a baby.” Hebrews 11:23.
The deep courage of the mother made her do the extraordinary to save her son.
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December 20.
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“An evil temper destroys the man who has it.” Sirach 6:4.
Like the speeding car... eventually it stops ...the driver dead at the wheel.
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“God has provided us with something better: we see the goal.” Hebrews 11:40.
With the coming of Jesus, many of the parts of the plan came together in wisdom and order.
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December 21.
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“A faithful friend, a sure shelter, a rare treasure.” Sirach 6:14.
Such friendship does not wait to be asked for help but is ready at all times to help.
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“Jesus is the leader of our faith and brings it to fullness.” Hebrews 12:2.
Our understanding of the plan for man begins in Jesus and reaches fulness in him.
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December 22.
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“A faithful friend is beyond price, unmeasured in his worth.” Sirach 6:15.
No matter how great the problem it seems less frightening when shared with a friend.
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“Suffering, difficulties and obstacles are a part of training.” Hebrews 12:7.
Everyone meets obstacles in daily life. The man of faith overcomes them.
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December 23.
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“The one who respects the Lord makes true friends for a man‘s friends reflect his true self.” Sirach 6:17.
A man is known by the company he keeps.
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“Bitterness can poison a whole community.” Hebrews 12:15.
Bitterness, greed, jealousy, envy and anger destroy the people involved.
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December 24.
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“Do not desert an old friend; the new one will not be an equal.” Sirach 6:17.
An artificial eye may look real, but there is no sight.
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“Marriage is to be honored by all.” Hebrews 13:4.
Marriage is the foundation of all healthy society through the family.
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December 25.
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“A new friend is like new wine: when it grows old, you drink it with pleasure.” Sirach 9:15.
Friendship that does not deepen and grow with age is not true friendship.
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“In the church, everyone is to be the first born son and a citizen of heaven.” Hebrews 14:23.
There are no second-class members of the Christian family.
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December 26.
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“Who feels sorry for the snake charmer bitten by the snake?” Sirach 12:13.
The person who flirts with danger must suffer the consequences.
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“Obey your leaders because they must give an account of the way they took care of you.” Hebrews 13:17.
This obedience is the external sign of your share in the community.
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December 27.
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“Why put a clay pot next to an iron cauldron?” Sirach 13:3.
Only the fool goes into unnecessary danger.
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“So be as cunning as serpents but harmless as doves.” Matthew 10:16.
Christian faith means you assess how best to perform each actions.
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December 28.
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“Greed shrivels the soul.” Sirach 14:9.
As the miser hordes his fortune, he cuts himself off from all people.
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“The fine linen for the bridal dress of the church is made of the good deeds of good people.” Revelations 19:8.
The church is the people who make it up and their good deeds shine for all to see.
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December 29.
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“A mind made up after due reflection will not flinch in a crises.” Sirach 22:20.
Honest evaluation of foreseable circumstances gives inner security.
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“Blessed are those who die in Christ for their good deeds go with them.” Revelation 14:13.
The last moment of this life contains all that is of value in your whole life.
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December 30.
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“The crown of old men is ripe experience.” Sirach 25:6.
A true sense of values must be gained from daily living.
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“I will give water from the well of life to anyone who thirsts.” Revelation 21:6.
Each person is given the opportunity to measure up the stature of true man.
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December 31.
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“Many have fallen by the sword, but more have fallen by the tongue.” Sirach 25:6.
The blade of the sword can be parried aside... but the gossiping tongue cuts to the heart.
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“Call the workers and pay them their wages in all fairness.” Matthew 20:8.
What are the wages you have earned for the year just completed?
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