Author: Beth Morrison

One minute read.

Daily Reading: Isaiah 45;11-48:11, Ephesians 4:1-16, Psalm 68:19-35, Proverbs 24:3-4

Daily Verse: “By wisdom, a house is built, and by understanding it is established;” Prov. 24:3-4

Domestic enterprises.

Houses require wisdom to build and understanding to establish. Planning the layout of rooms, the precise placement of the kitchen and baths, and the million other decisions that come with creating a home takes time and intention. Builders can’t slap boards together and expect to have a solid home.

Thinking of purchasing a log cabin, Ron and I toured one built in 1976. The original owner could no longer live in the home alone, causing the kids to sell it. Massive logs stacked one on top of the other created a cozy atmosphere. Almost fifty years old, the owner’s understanding of the care needed for the unique structure came through in its pristine presentation.

Although we decided to pass on the cabin, we still appreciated the love permeating the well-established home. Wisdom built the house, and understanding had established it. I could only imagine the family memories made in the cozy getaway over the decades.

God tells us to ask, and we will receive; He wants to give us wisdom and understanding. Build your homes with the Lord’s gifts and enjoy the benefits.

Lord, forgive us for not asking You for wisdom and understanding. As we grow closer to You, let us always come to You with our needs, trusting Your provision. Please help us build loving homes through the gifts you offer. IJNIP. Amen

One minute read.

Daily Reading: Isaiah 43:14-45:10, Ephesians 3:1-21, Psalm 68:1-18, Proverbs 24:1-2

Daily Verse: “Be not envious of evil men, nor desire to be with them, for their hearts devise violence, and their lips talk of trouble.” Prov. 24:1-2

Reject envy.

Following Jesus takes perseverance and endurance through difficult times. During dessert seasons, periods when God seems quiet, and doubt comes easily, envying evil men can seem tempting. In your struggles, they seem to thrive. The best way to reject the envy that tries to work into your heart happens with a perspective change.

“We can complain because rose bushes have thorns or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses.” Abraham Lincoln

The lens through which we look at life determines what we will see. Asking God to give us His perspective allows us to see challenges as opportunities to grow and envy as something that will rot our bones. 

Stay focused on Jesus, even in the dry parts of the journey. David spent years alone in the hills, tending sheep and shooting wild beasts with his sling before He defeated Goliath. God’s always working, preparing us for the next chapter.

Reject envy. Thank God for the roses on the thorn bush instead.

Lord, forgive us for envying evil people. Help us keep Your perspective as we persevere in the trials of life. Don’t let skewed vision get us off track. IJNIP. Amen

One minute read.

Daily Reading: Isaiah 41:17-43:13, Ephesians 2:1-22, Psalm 67:1-7, Proverbs 23:29-35

Daily Verse: “They struck me,” you will say, “but I was not hurt; they beat me, but I did not feel it. When shall I awake? I must have another drink.” Prov. 23:35

Dulled senses.

Excessive drinking leads to trouble, dulling the senses, causing quarrels and fights, poisoning the system, causing loss of control and the ability to speak, making one insensitive to pain.

One memorable night in college, when I drank too much alcohol, happened on a cold winter evening in Pennsylvania. Inebriated, I walked the half hour back to my dorm without a coat, the alcohol causing me not to notice the chilling cold. Waking in the morning after such nights, hungover, made me crave another drink, the only thing that would help the withdrawal.

Thank God those days lie far in the past for me. Alcohol’s addictive qualities deceptively draw people into its web. One drink can begin dulling the senses and cause people to make poor decisions that can change their lives forever. There, by the grace of God, go I.

Jesus’ first miracle turned water into wine, but He didn’t mean for us to overindulge in it. Living a life of moderation pleases God. Not allowing anything but the Holy Spirit to control our actions honors the Lord. Don’t allow excessive alcohol to dull your senses. Let Jesus control your life.

Lord, thank You for Your grace that protects us from our folly. Protect us from ourselves, help us live life in moderation, honoring You with all we do. IJNIP. Amen

One minute read.

Daily Reading: Isaiah 39:1-41:16, Ephesians 1:1-23, Psalm 66:1-20, Proverbs 23:25-28

Daily Verse: “My son, give me your heart, and let your eyes observe my ways.” Prov. 23:26

Avoid temptation.

Verses 26-28 warn against folly, portrayed as loose women, a prostitute, and a wayward wife. Falling for their seductive ways leads the son into a pit that leads to death.

We all have temptations that lead us to places we don’t want to go. Identifying life’s seductions that drag us down wrong paths helps us to avoid them. The teacher in today’s verse wants us to follow his example, shunning the temptress and keeping our eyes focused on him.

Jesus, the perfect teacher, helps us avoid pitfalls when focusing on Him.

“No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation, he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” 1 Cor. 10:13

God gives us a way out of the temptations we face. When you get sucked in by allure, look for the exit door and run to it. Avoid the temptress by staying focused on Jesus.

Lord, forgive us for falling for the temptations of this world. As we focus our eyes on You, help us run from temptation, staying on the path of life You offer. Give us victory over the temptress. IJNIP. Amen

One minute read.

Daily Reading: Isaiah 37:1-38:22, Galatians 6:1-18, Psalm 65:1-13, Proverbs 23:24

Daily Verse: “The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice; he who fathers a wise son will be glad in him.” Prov. 23:24

Acquire truth.

Parents whose children seek truth and gain wisdom make them happy. Parents have total control over what their kids do for a very short time. But before long, children begin making decisions without consulting mom and dad. Good choices make happy parents.

Coco Gauff, winner of the 2023 U.S. Open, made her parents smile on Sept. 9th when she captured her first major tennis championship in NYC because of wise choices. But one of her best choices that day happened after the match.

While waiting for the trophy presentation, Coco did something I’ve never seen another player do. She got down on her knees and prayed, thanking God for the strength to play her best. In front of a crowd of 24,000 people, Coco showed them where she placed her faith.

Acquiring truth and seeking wisdom comes from a relationship with God. Parents have the honor of introducing their children to Jesus. Following Christ leads us to truth and wisdom.

Lord, thank You for giving us Jesus. As we introduce our children to Your Son, let them acquire truth and wisdom, making good decisions with their lives.   Guide and direct us in all our ways, the glory Yours in all we do. IJNIP. Amen

One minute read.

Daily Reading: Isaiah 33:10-36:22, Galatians 5:13-26, Psalm 64:1-10, Proverbs 23:23

Daily Verse: “Buy truth, and do not sell it; buy wisdom, instruction, and understanding.” Prov. 23:23

Buy truth.

Acquiring truth, wisdom, instruction, and understanding pleases God. When I returned to school for my master’s degree, I paid to learn the truth. Attending Regent University, a Christian education leader, I earned a diploma in Strategic Communication.

Becoming a better communicator taught me how to share the gospel through social media. Now, I use my education to help people develop closer relationships with the Lord and show them how to share it with others to the best of my ability.

In addition to my graduate degree, I continue to take writing classes to help me become a better writer. Last spring, I took a fiction writing class, which stretched me; I struggled to create stories when I worked so hard to focus on the truth. Yet, the course helped improve my writing.

Finding ways to increase our knowledge of the truth helps us build God’s kingdom by applying what we learn to share the good news of Christ’s love and sacrifice.

Lord, help us grow in our knowledge of the truth daily. Let us apply what we learn to increasing Your kingdom. With each day You give us, may we honor and glorify You in all we say and do. IJNIP. Amen

One minute read.

Daily Reading: Isaiah 30:12-33:9, Galatians 5:1-12, Psalm 63:1-11, Proverbs 23:22

Daily Verse: “Listen to your father who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old.” Prov. 23:22

Listen well.

Parents have life experiences we don’t. Listening to their wise counsel can save us from heartache. Mom and Dad give us advice so we don’t make the same mistakes they did. Only if we listen and learn will we avoid the pitfalls.

My parents both reside in heaven now. But I still hear their advice in my head. When doing a task, I hear my dad’s words, “If you’re going to do something, do it right the first time; that way, you don’t have to do it again.” And every time I feel impulsive, I hear my mom say, “Stop and think, for Pete’s sake.” I drove her crazy with my bull in a China shop attitude towards life.

God uses parents to give us life and help us through it. Listening to their advice should make our days easier, not harder. Just like scripture guides and directs us with its wisdom if we read it and apply it.

In life, we will have struggles. But listening to our parents will help us overcome them and persevere on the difficult days.

Lord, forgive us for not listening to our parents. Help us become better listeners as we hear and apply what they say to our lives. Let us become wiser as we follow our parent’s directions. IJNIP. Amen

One minute read.

Daily Reading: Isaiah 28:14-30:11, Galatians 3:23-4:31, Psalm 62:1-12, Proverbs 23:19-21

Daily Verse: “Be not among drunkards or among gluttonous eaters of meat, for the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty, and slumber will clothe them with rags.” Prov. 23:20-21

Avoid gluttony.

Excessive eating and drinking come from more profound problems.  As a person who has struggled with anxiety and depression my entire life, in years past, I drank too much to numb the pain.  In the same way, emotional eating caused me weight issues.

Seeking Christian therapy and learning coping techniques to deal with and address my emotional issues helped me learn to live life in moderation.  I still drink, but I don’t overindulge, able to enjoy a glass of wine without letting it get out of hand.  In my twenties, not so much.

Avoiding gluttony means addressing the hidden issues that cause a person to overindulge.  Obesity-related health issues cost billions of dollars in the United States annually.  Heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers link back to excess weight.  Both drinking and overeating cause damage.

Overindulge in Jesus, lay your emotional burdens at His feet, and allow Him to guide you on a healthy living path by applying His teachings and seeking wise counsel.

Lord, forgive us for gluttony in our lives. Lead us on the path of moderation as we follow You. Help us not overindulge in things of this world but instead, overindulge in time with Jesus. IJNIP. Amen

One minute read.

Daily Reading: Isaiah 25:1-28:13, Galatians 3:10-22, Psalm 61:1-8, Proverbs 23:17-18

Daily Verse: “Surely there is a future, and your hope will not be cut off.” Prov. 23:18

Future hope.

“But they seem to be doing great while I’m suffering.”  I hear some form of this statement a lot when talking to people going through difficult times. A woman going through a divorce that sees her husband thriving with his new girlfriend while she suffers doesn’t seem right. Wondering how God will bring good from our struggles while the persecutors continue to succeed baffles anyone.

We must remember at those times, we don’t know the whole story. Just because someone seems to have it all doesn’t mean they do. And God doesn’t waste any of our struggles, using them to grow and mature us into who He wants us to become.

Our hope comes from Jesus, not man. Putting your hearts desires into a person will lead to heartache. But placing your trust in Christ will lead to a fruitful future, one garnered in unconditional love and unspeakable joy.

Treasure awaits us in heaven. In the meantime, this life prepares us for eternity as we grow and mature through the struggles we endure on Earth. Persevere for the divine pay-off.

Lord, forgive us for questioning Your will. Instead, help us learn what You have for us in the struggles we endure. Give us hope for the future and the strength needed to persevere. In all things, let You receive the glory and honor. IJNIP. Amen

One minute read.

Daily Reading: Isaiah 22:1-24:23, Galatians 2:17-3:9, Psalm 60:1-12, Proverbs 23:15-16

Daily Verse: “My son, if your heart is wise, my heart too will be glad.” Prov. 23:15

Glad hearts.

Parents love it when their children make wise decisions and speak honestly. The contents of the heart show themselves in the words and actions of the person.

“But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart,” Matthew 15:18a

One of my favorite moments happened in a tennis lesson with four students, ages 5-7. Playing a game, boys against the girls, they had to see who got the most tennis balls on their side of the court. One ball ended up in the middle; I let one of the girls decide what to do with the ball.

She smiled up at me impishly and kicked the ball to the boy’s side, giving them the win. And she taught me a lesson in good sportsmanship at the same time. When I shared the story with her mom, she had a glad heart.

Wise hearts make life-giving decisions and bring happiness to their parents.

Lord, thank You for giving us the wisdom to share with others. Help us counsel children well, giving them wise hearts that produce good decisions. Gladden our hearts with the life-giving choices made by children. IJNIP. Amen