January 1. |
“Write kindness and loyalty on the tablet of your heart.” Proverbs 3:3
Be kind and loyal: the foundation of human dignity.
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“Not by bread alone does man live but by every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.” Matthew 4:9.
The people and actions of each event are God’s way of making himself known to you.
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January 2.
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“The ways of wisdom are delightful; her paths lead to contentment .” Proverbs 3:17.
The life of the wise person satisfies self and others.
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“ Always seek peace with all people.” Hebrews 12:14.
As far as possible, try to get along with everyone. But, remember there are people who clearly refuse to accept a proffered hand of friendship.
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January 3.
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“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.
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“Be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect.” Matthew 5:48.
The goal of Christian action is realization of the family of man.
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January 4.
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“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.
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“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.
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January 5.
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“The generous man is his own benefactor” Proverbs 11:17.
Giving is two-way: you give self and possessions; you receive gratitude and joy.
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“Thy kingdom come.” Matthew 6:10.
The world will be complete only when the kingship of God is established by the cooperation of man.
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January 6.
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“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.
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“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.
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January 7.
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“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.
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“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.
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January 8
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“The tongue of the wise man distils knowledge” Proverbs 15:2.
To distil means to refine the product by removing weaknesses and impurities.
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“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.
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January 9.
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“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.
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“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.
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January 10.
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“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.
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“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.
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January 11.
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“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.
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“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.
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January 12.
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“The door turns on its hinges, the lazy man on his bed.” Proverbs 26:14.
A perfect pictures of a useless, wasted, unsatisfying life.
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“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.
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January 13.
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“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.
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“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.
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January 14.
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“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.
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“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?
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January 15.
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“Love is stronger than death.” Canticle 8:6.
Life stops, the beloved is buried but love still inspires and warms the heart.
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“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.
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January 16.
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“Love is a flame from God himself.” Canticle 8:6.
The flame gives off heat: heat warms' and the warmth gives energy and life.
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“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.
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January 17.
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“The beginning of wisdom is the desire for discipline." Wisdom 6:17.
Self-control is possible only if it is sincerely wanted.
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“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.
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January 18.
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“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.
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“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.
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January 19.
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“Wisdom is an inexhaustible treasure to men.” Wisdom 7:14.
The paradox of wisdom: the more it is used, the greater it becomes.
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“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.
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January 20.
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“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.
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“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.
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January 21.
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“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.
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“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.
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January 22.
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“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.
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“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.
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January 23.
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“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.
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“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.
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January 24.
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“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.
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“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.
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January 25.
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“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.
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“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.
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January 26.
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“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.
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“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.
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January 27.
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“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.
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“The Kingdom of Heaven is like leaven mixed in the flour.” Matthew 13:13.
Lasting good has to grow from the inside out.
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January 28.
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“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.
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“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.
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January 29.
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“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.
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“Enter the narrow gate.” Matthew 7:13.
To enjoy life always demands effort.
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January 30.
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“The Lord restored Job‘s fortunes because he prays for his friends.” Job 42:10.
As you give -- so you receive.
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“The person who does the will of the Father will enter the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 7:21.
Your words, your promises must be sealed by your actions.
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January 31.
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“The just man is like a tree planted by running water.” Psalm 1:33.
Honesty, constancy, gentility, high principles, and good repute produce lasting works.
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“The kingdom of heaven is a hidden treasure.” Matthew 13:44.
Happiness and success must be sought intelligently, eagerly and consistently.
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