“Good people are guided by their honesty; treacherous people are destroyed by their dishonesty.”
Proverbs 11:3 (NLT)

MAY 30 - While the shepherds’ hearts were flooded with great joy, the rest of Bethlehem slept, unaware that the true Savior of the world had come, wondrously called, “The Way, The Truth, and The Life.” How can we excel in any area of life without possessing the awesome virtue of honesty? We must be truthful with where we are, where we want to go, and with our Creator. When we walk in honesty, it causes us to progress in life like never before, and likewise prevents us from going backwards. As we cultivate honesty in our lives, excellence is a daily by-product. Many times, people are unwilling to be honest with where they are in life because they know the report would be dismal. Remember, we cannot disregard our actions of disobedience and then haughtily claim we are the righteousness of God. When we evaluate our present position, we discover the truth hidden in the preconceived actions of yesterday.

Examining ourselves causes us to come to grips with the truth. When we embrace the truth our actions declare of us, we begin to move in the direction God desires for us. We cannot change what we don’t know. We can only move forward as we are willing to change. God Himself placed leaders over us who see the weaknesses we possess. They understand if our weaknesses are not addressed, our progress comes to a halt. Our leaders prove their love by their willingness to tell us the truth at the cost of our disliking them. Truth hurts, but it liberates us if we learn to embrace it. Ask yourself, and ask those above you, exactly what you need to change. Your response determines the excellence in which you walk.

Daily Confession

Father, I thank You that I am guided and directed by honesty. I choose to be honest with You, myself, with those You place above me.ather, I thank You that my feet are firmly planted on the Rock, Jesus Christ.

Family Scripture Reading

Acts 1

Featured Resource

The New You - CD

Have you accepted your new identity in Christ or do you continually deal with shame, guilt, and low self-esteem. The thoughts we identify with, whether good or bad, sculpt our destiny. Envision the marvelous transformation that would take place if we learned how to walk in our true identity. Imagine what life would be like if you were able to confidently identify with Christ instead of your old sin nature – nothing but victory, joy, and fulfillment. If you desire to learn the keys to walk in your new identity, this series is for you!

Posted under Excellence, honesty

“Getting wisdom is the most important thing you can do!
And whatever else you do, get good judgment. If you prize wisdom,
she will exalt you. Embrace her and she will honor you.”
Proverbs 4:7-9 (NLT)

JANUARY 3 - When one of the wisest queens who ever lived was asked by a visiting prince, “What is the secret to your country’s success?” Queen Victoria soberly handed the African leader a large Bible. Placing the volume in his hands, she declared, “Here is the secret of England’s greatness.”

As we see in Proverbs 4:7-8, wisdom is the most important thing we can ever hope to obtain. When we place a value upon something, it is able to offer us amazing results. We all have moments when we wish we knew the right answer or were able to discern exactly what to do in a certain situation.

By obtaining wisdom and placing value upon her (just as we might our most costly gem), we experience how she can substantially transform our lives.

To love something is to find it desirable, but to value something is to find it essential. Wisdom is essential to the outcome of our lives. Is wisdom only wanted by us, or do we truly place value upon it?

Our level of pursuit proves the answer to that question. Consider the following. How much time do you spend in God’s Word? How much of an effort do you make to heed the wisdom of Godly men? What does your pursuit of Him look like?

The degree of honesty to which you answer these questions is the degree you will begin to see the value you place upon wisdom. England’s Queen Victoria knew that getting wisdom through God’s Word was the principal thing. Start today thinking of ways in which you can do the same.

Daily Confession

Father, I thank You that I pursue your Word with all my heart.
I am filled with your wisdom, which is the principle thing;
therefore, I gain wisdom and understanding.

Day 3: Audio Confession

Family Scripture Reading

1 Kings 2

Featured Resource

The Couch - “Narcissism” Episode - DVD

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In a suburb of Chicago is a small family restaurant called Opa’s. This is where a group of friends meet on a regular basis. On this week’s episode a young man called Van (with a severe case of narcissism) get’s an ultimatum from his parents. Either he needs to change or he need to move out. As usual, the friends and family in the restaurant encourage Van to schedule an appointment with the local psychiatrist, Dr. Jacob Lieberman… He may be a little eccentric, but always has great insight and leaves one feeling better about life than what it really is.

Posted under Wisdom