“The Lord judges man by the good that is in his heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7.
Each person is responsible and faith means understanding of and commitment to this responsibility.

“Look at the fields. Already they are white for the harvest.” John 4:35.
All people need the ideals of Christ but they have to see them to want them.

“Whenever Saul was disturbed, Daniel played his harp for him and Saul grew calm.” 1 Samuel 16:23.
The peace that God offers is to be effected through the help of the people around us.

“It was I that Moses was writing about.” John 5:46.
Jesus saw himself and his life’s work as the fullness of God’ plan.

“You are only a young boy but Goliath has been a warrior since his youth.” 1 Samuel 17:33.
Sometimes courage must take over even though prudence says there is danger.

“The people were going to force him to be king but he fled to the hills alone.” John 6:15.
How easily the people would have diverted him from his true goals.

“I come against you in the name of the Lord of Hosts.” 1 Samuel 17:45.
The source of David’s confidence and its completeness should be an inspiration to us.

“Nathan said to David: You are the man.” 2 Samuel 12:7.
King and warrior though he was, David had to answer for his irresponsible actions.

“The man who lives by the truth comes out into the light.” John 3:21.
The sincere person is comfortable in the presence of God.

“Give your servant a heart able to discern what is right to govern your people.” 1 Kings 3:9.
A beautiful and profound picture of all authority.

“Anyone who drinks the water I shall give will never thirst again.” John 4:14
The fountain lost in paradise is restored in Jesus - the living fountain.

“There came a mighty wind, but the Lord was not in it.” 1 Kings 20:11.
God is not to be found in violence, wanton bloodshed or crime.

“My food is to do the will of him who sent me.” John 4:34.
Eagerness, conviction and zeal drove Christ in each of his actions.

“The Lord was not in the wind, nor the earthquake, nor the fire.” 1 Kings 20:11.
Elijah, like so many leaders, had to learn that the path of serenity leads directly to happiness.

“Then came the whisper of the gentle breeze. The Lord was in it.” 1 Kings. 20:13.
Calm, peaceful, serence discussion and cooperation lead to effective work and success.

“Where can we buy bread for these people to eat?” John 6:5.
Jesus asked his question to test the confidence of Philip.

“Seek the Lord and his strength, seek him untiringly.” 1 Chronicles 16:11.
To seek the fulfillment promised by God demands persevering effort on our part.

“There is a small boy here with five barley loaves and two fish .” John 6:9.
A boy and his noontime lunch - a starting point to share with others.

“He is the Lord our god; his authority is over all the earth.” 1 Chronicles 16:14.
This consciousness of the presence of God is to give rise to confidence and security.

“Work for the bread that lasts into eternal life.” John 6:27.
Make sure your goals will last and satisfy when they are fulfilled.

“The Lord has made the earth firm and unshakeable.” 1 Chronicles 16:30.
The more we learn of the universe, the more we realize how true this statement is.

“Let him who is without sin among you, cast the first stone.” John 8:7.
Don’t point an accusing finger until you have looked carefully in the mirror.

“Be faithful to the Lord all your days.” Tobit 4:5.
Fidelity to the Lord means constancy in your ideals and reliability in your actions.

“They began to slink away from the oldest to the youngest.” John 8:9.
The noisy accuser is suddenly quiet when his bluff is called.

“Measure your alms by what you have.” Tobit 4:8.
Helping others to help themselves it the most lasting of all gifts.

“Alms are a most effective offering if they are given in the presence of God.” Tobit 4:11.
Helping others must be the outgrowth of sensitivity, generosity and sincerity.

“Can anyone of you convict me of sin.” John 8:46.
Only courageous innocence could ask this questions of enemies.

“False pride brings ruin and much worry.” Tobit 4:14.
Self-esteem is the necessary foundation of all personal value but vanity destroys all value.

“Do you wish to become his disciples too?” John 9:28.
A naive but sincere question that exposed the anger of the hypocrites.

“Idleness causes want and poverty.” Tobit 4:14.
Rest and recreation are necessary to rebuild strength. But empty inactivity is self-destructive.

“I have come that all may have life to the full.” John 10:10.
The full, rewarding, satisfying life is the object of all of Christ’s teaching.

“The cause of famine is idleness.” Tobit 4:14.
Wasteful misuse of time always brings harm to the idler and anyone dependent on him.

“The words I have spoken to you are spirit and life.” John 6:63.
Understand what Jesus says and his spirit and life are yours.

“Do not delay the wages of him who works for you. Pay promptly.” Tobit 4:15.
Nothing is quite so frustrating as to do the work and receive only a promise.

“When you give alms, do so generously and cheerfully.” Tobit 4:17.
The truly needy person is often helped more by the spirit of the giver than by alms.

“Anyone who follows me will not walk in the dark.” John 8:12.
Not merely a light at the end of the tunnel, but a brilliant star that serves as a goal.

“Ask advice of the wise person and do not ignore profitable advice.” Tobit 4:18.
Ask.. listen.. act: all are necessary. Some ask but don't listen; some listen but do not act.

“The truth will set you free.” John 8:32.
Christian freedom is the ability to set goals and reach them.

“May it make me happy to honor all the days of my life.” Tobit 10:13.
If you want honor and respect from others, you must be honorable and respectable.

“I went, I washed and I can see.” John 9:12.
A simple, but powerful, description of the work of Jesus.

“Everyone should reveal the works of God and thank him properly.” Tobit 12:7.
The works of God are: wisdom, love, cooperation, courage and constancy.

“Only a fool spurns wisdom and discipline.” Proverbs 1:17.
Wisdom imparts knowledge and discipline is self-mastery.

“I am the good shepherd. I know mine and mine know me.” John 10:14.
Mutual knowledge, understanding, respect are essential to human life.

“The teachings of your mother will make a graceful crown for your head.” Proverbs 1:9.
Next to self-knowledge, the most penetrating insight is the knowledge of a concerned parent.

“The shepherd of the flock enters the fold through the gate.” John 10:2.
The shepherd is always out in front, leading, calling and helping his flock.

“In vain the net is spread for the alert bird.” Proverbs 1:17.
Listen carefully to other people but always weigh carefully what you hear.

“One by one the shepherd calls his sheep and leads them out.” John 10:2.
The self-worth of each individual is a pivotal point in Christian teaching.

“When wisdom enters the heart, produce will be your guardian.” Proverbs 2:10-11.
Wisdom brings you the ideas of others: Produce makes sure you judge carefully.

“The sheep follow the shepherd because they recognize his voice.” John 10:4.
Christian leaders must know how and respect each individual as a person.

“If you truly enjoy knowledge, wise judgments will be your harvest.” Proverbs 2:10-11.
The more you acquire true knowledge, the more you are equipped to judge wisely.

“I am the gate of the sheep fold.” John 10:7.
Jesus is the model human being whom all can follow and imitate.

“The principles of wisdom give length of days, long life and great happiness.” Proverbs 3:22.
Self-fulfillment and inner content are evidence of a wise person.

“There is only one flock and one shepherd.” John 10:16.
All nations, one human community, is the goal of the plan of Christ.

“The kindly loyal person enjoys the favor of God and man.” Proverbs 3:2.
Kindness and loyalty form a seal that assures the good will of all people.

“The sheep that are mine listen to my voice.” John 10:27.
To listen to Christ is to understand, take a firm stand, and live accordingly.

“By wisdom the foundations of the earth are firmly set.” Proverbs 3:19.
Today, stop and notice the beauty and orderliness of the world in which you live.