Focus

Experience silence in the midst of your busy day. Take some time to relax into a time to be with God.

Read

Proverbs 11:23-30

The desire of the righteous ends only in good;
the expectation of the wicked in wrath.

Some give freely, yet grow all the richer;
others withhold what is due, and only suffer want.

A generous person will be enriched,
and one who gives water will get water.

The people curse those who hold back grain,
but a blessing is on the head of those who sell it.

Whoever diligently seeks good seeks favor,
but evil comes to the one who searches for it.

Those who trust in their riches will wither,
but the righteous will flourish like green leaves.

Those who trouble their households will inherit wind,
and the fool will be servant to the wise.

The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life,
but violence takes lives away.

Reflect

In the words of Proverbs, certain terms are used interchangeably, such as wisdom, joy virtue, generosity, blessings and fruitfulness. Does this practice make sense to us today? In other words, as certain capacities and habits become formed in our character by the Holy Spirit, we become pleasing to the Lord, don’t we? More often than not, we also become better able to serve others, including family and friends, but also strangers and even enemies!

Do you think such development pleases God? Does it even happen apart from the indwelling of the Holy Spirit?
Yet, the ultimate blessing in becoming large, great-hearted people is to honor the Lord and reflect the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives, isn’t it? Imagine the joy of realizing that God works through us who love and serve our Lord!

May we pray today to become wise in the ways of the Lord!

Pray

Dear God, give us wisdom from on high. Amen

Go with God!