Proverbs 23

23:31-32 "Do not gaze at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it goes down smoothly! In the end it bites like a snake and poisons like a viper." In this chapter God spends a significant amount of time warning us about the deceptive power of alcohol. Look at the words used in Scripture "bites like a snake and poisons like a viper." This is something that might be hard for some of you to read because you have been hurt by the affects of alcohol in someway. The sad thing is also that it is more prevalent than ever before in our culture. So is there someone you know that struggles? Are you being a good example of Jesus to them? Are you praying for them?

Proverbs 22

22:1 "A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold." Is this true in our lives? Are we people that care more about our name than money or fame? Our name stands for something if we have a relationship with Christ, we represent him on this earth. Is that visible in the way we live our lives? Do we care more about the one we represent, or do we give into the world standards and fall to other things?

Proverbs 21

21:16 "A man who strays from the path of understanding comes to rest in the company of the dead." Just like in chapter 20 this verse relays the importance of understanding in our lives. Like Chapter 20 in a way gave the picture of a well this chapter uses the picture of a path. But the idea of a path shows something that the well didn't. A path is continuous and goes somewhere so what are we doing now in our lives to grow in understanding? Are we traveling down the path, stuck somewhere, or going in the completely wrong direction?

Proverbs 20

20:5 "The purposes of a man's heart are deep waters, but a man of understanding draws them out." I just get the picture of a well in my mind. It seems like all the good stuff, in this case "purposes of a man's (or woman's) heart," is at the bottom of the well. And understanding is the tool or the bucket used to obtain it. So if we don't have understanding we will never figure out the purposes of our hearts. Do we value understanding in the way that? As if the purposes of our heart have were not obtainable any other way.

Proverbs 19

19:21 "Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails." I think that this verse is so hard to wrap our minds around. We all set up or make plans within our lives. Maybe it is what you want to do with your future, goals that you might have for a new year, or even everyday plans to do homework or to hang out with friends. Well even in the midst of all the plans that we come up with in our own minds, God's purpose, or what he wants accomplished, is still going to prevail. And even though we do everything by choice, God uses our choices to accomplish His purpose. This is incredible to me! So what is one area where you have seen God work through yours plans or through the changing of your plans?

Proverbs 18

18:2 "A fool finds no pleasure in understanding but delights in airing his own opinions." This verse is hard to read because it can be so convicting! Sometimes I think that it would be great if everyone in this world would think like me, that way everyone would understand me and I didn't have to practice understanding. We all like to air our own opinions, it is part of our nature. I am pretty certain that most of you, like me, fail sometimes at truly getting outside of ourselves and worry about understanding others. So, what are some practical ways of getting outside of ourselves and truly trying to understand others?

Proverbs 17

17:5 "He who mocks the poor shows contempt for their Maker; whoever gloats over disaster will not go unpunished." This is huge especially for anyone that is going on the San Fransisco Trip. As followers of Christ we are to show compassion and to love on the less fortunate, but so many times I think we all fail to do this. Sometimes we tend to evaluate or even judge their lives saying things like... "wow this wouldn't have happened if you just did it this way or if you didn't do that" But all people are created in God's image and we need to love them all the same! Take a look back does this describe any of us a little bit? When is the last time we took a step to work with or really care for the poor and underprivileged?