“The man who finds wisdom finds life. He wins the favor of the Lord.” Proverbs 8:35.
Jot down each aspect of wisdom as the year unfolds.

“Be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect.” Matthew 5:48.
The goal of Christian action is realization of the family of man.

“For lack of guidance a nation fails; safety lies in many advisers.” Proverbs 11:14.
Everyone has a right and a duty: to think, to voice thought and to listen carefully.

“When you pray, do not show off, do not seek attention, do not rattle off magical words.” Matthew 6:1.
When you pray, plan your day with God in confidence, peace, joy and anticipation.

“The generous man is his own benefactor” Proverbs 11:17.
Giving is two-way: you give self and possessions; you receive gratitude and joy.

“Thy kingdom come.” Matthew 6:10.
The world will be complete only when the kingship of God is established by the cooperation of man.

“Thoughtless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.” Proverbs 12:18.
A wise person is always thinking but speaks only to encourage.

“Give us this day our daily bread.” Matthew 6:1.
Jesus is the Bread of Life. As brothers and sisters of him, the world will become the home of all people.

“Wisdom for a thinking man means a watch over his own conduct.” Proverbs 14:8.
To give love, wisdom, guidance and correction, possess them first.

“For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Matthew 6:21.
Only when a goal becomes personal do you really work for it.

“The tongue of the wise man distils knowledge” Proverbs 15:2.
To distil means to refine the product by removing weaknesses and impurities.

“Do not worry! ... seek first the kingdom of God and its justice, and all other things will be added.” Matthew 6:31-33.
Good plans, full effort, sincere concern, but not fretting or anxiety -- these are the attitudes of Jesus.

“If a fool can hold his tongue, even he can pass for wise." Proverbs 17:28.
Your words are the fruit of what you think.

“Take the beam out of your own eye first, then you will see clearly to take the splinter out of your brother‘s eye.” Matthew 7:5.
Love must begin with self but so also must judgment and correction.

“Into the dish the idler dips his hand, but bring it to his mouth he cannot.” Proverbs 19:24.
A graphic description of the truly lazy person... a freeloader on society.

“I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never be hungry; he who believes in me will never thirst.” John 6:34-35.
Eagerness and faith make you acceptable to Christ and to each other.

“Cold water to a thirsty throat, such is good news from a distant land.” Proverbs 25:25.
Good news is always refreshing and uplifting. Be generous with it.

“Anyone who eats this bread will live forever. And the bread I will give you is my flesh for the life of the world.” John 6:51.
Bread sustains your physical life. Good actions sustain your entire being.

“The door turns on its hinges, the lazy man on his bed.” Proverbs 26:14.
A perfect pictures of a useless, wasted, unsatisfying life.

“Give us this day our daily bread.” Matthew 6:11, Luke 11:3.
Our daily livelihood is a gift from God for which we must work and be grateful.

“Catch a stray dog by the tail rather than interfere in the quarrel of another.” Proverbs 26:17.
Caught between the fire of two tempers, you can easily become a burnt cinder.

“You are the salt of the earth.” Matthew 5:13.
A pinch of salt is small but it gives flavor to the whole dish. You are as important as seasoning in the world about you.

“Without wood the fire goes out; without gossip, quarrels die down.” Proverbs 26:20.
Gossip is an insidious destroyer of peace, harmony and life itself.

“If salt loses its flavor, how can it be restored?” Matthew 5:13.
If you fail to develop your identity and self-worth, how can you contribute to your world?

“Love is stronger than death.” Canticle 8:6.
Life stops, the beloved is buried but love still inspires and warms the heart.

“It (tasteless salt) is good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by people.” Matthew 5:13.
The penalty for failure to develop yourself is frustration.

“Love is a flame from God himself.” Canticle 8:6.
The flame gives off heat: heat warms' and the warmth gives energy and life.

“You are the light of the world.” Matthew 5:14.
One aspect of Christian thought is to set far-reaching goals. Intend to influence everyone you meet.

“The beginning of wisdom is the desire for discipline." Wisdom 6:17.
Self-control is possible only if it is sincerely wanted.

“A city built on a mountain cannot be hidden.” Matthew 5:14.
The life of every person is to be in the open so that all may see, admire and follow.

“In the greatest number of wise men, lies the world‘s salvation.” Wisdom 6:24.
Wise people are kind, loyal, self-controlled, generous, thoughtful and understanding.

“No one lights a lamp to put it under a basket.” Matthew 5:15.
Kind, considerate, understanding, loving actions are to be beacons to attract others to admire and imitate these actions.

“Wisdom is an inexhaustible treasure to men.” Wisdom 7:14.
The paradox of wisdom: the more it is used, the greater it becomes.

“The lighted lamp is put on the lamp stand where it shines for everyone in the house.” Matthew 5:15.
Good example is the most powerful sermon that can be preached.

“There is no bitterness in the company of wisdom.” Wisdom 8:16.
Bitterness is negative and self-destructive. A wise person is positive and productive.

“And so let your light shine before others that they may see your

good works and then praise your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16.
The brotherhood of man has to be expressed in action.

“Have you seen my servant, Job: a man who respects God and avoids evil?” Job 1:6-8.
Here are two qualities needed to show that you believe in God: respect and good conduct.

“I have not come to destroy but to bring to fullness.” Matthew 5:17.
Success does not last long when foudned on the ruin of others.

“The Lord has given. The Lord has taken away Blessed be the name of the Lord.” Job 1:21.
Acceptance of the fact is the first step to face and answer a problem.

“Go first and be reconciled with your brother, and then come back to present your offering.” Matthew 5:24.
The fatherhood of God can be established only in the brotherhood of man.

“We accept happiness from the hand of God. Shall we not accept sorrow?” Job 2:10.
Effort, difficulty, and some failure are necessary to establish lasting happiness.

“All you need say is ‘yes‘ if you mean ‘yes‘ and ‘no‘ if you mean ‘no‘.” Matthew 5:37.
If your word is your bond, you are a person to be trusted.

“In all his misfortune, Job spoke no sinful word.” Job 2:10.
Ranting in the face of difficulty or failure merely adds to and prolongs the problem.

“Some seed fell on good ground and produced fruit.” Matthew 13:9.
These people listen, make firm resolutions, and carry them out - action by action.

“God holds in his power the breath of each man‘s body.” Job 12:10.
This sense of dependence on God lends security and confidence to life.

“Let the weeds and the grain grow together until harvest.” Matthew 13:30.
Good intentions, high ideals, and earnest striving have to live in the world that has much opposition.

“Wisdom is respect for the Lord: understanding is avoiding evil.” Job 28:28.
Respect leads a person to listen more carefully to what is being said.

“The Kingdom of Heaven is like the tiny mustard seed.” Matthew 13:31.
All great works begin small. All life begins with a tiny cell.

“Then from the eye of the hurricane the Lord gave Job his answer.” Job 38:1.
The wisdom of God can be seen and heard in all the events of nature - the gentle to the violent.

“The Kingdom of Heaven is like leaven mixed in the flour.” Matthew 13:13.
Lasting good has to grow from the inside out.

“Has God‘s critic thought of an answer?” Job 40:2.
In the early morning, walk outside and consider nature talking to itself and to us.

“Ask and you will receive. Seek and you will find. Knock and it will be opened to you.” Matthew 7:7.
Notice that the first step is always up to you. You have to admit need before you can receive help.

“Job said: I know that you are all powerful. What you conceive, you can do.” Job 42:1.
At night, walk outside. Consider the heavens and meditate on the power of the Almighty.

“Enter the narrow gate.” Matthew 7:13.
To enjoy life always demands effort.