CREATURES OF HABIT

Song - "You have it in You" by: Tina Baker, Tamika Carter and Pastor Sheryl Brady -

We are creatures of habit.  As a child we are taught to get up, go potty, brush our teeth, take a shower, eat breakfast, then go to school.  This ritual continues on through out our life.  We are taught to do chores, home work, take the dog out...etc...and we continue what we are taught.  We do it is systematically.  Often we do things as a adults and wonder why in the world we do them.  

It is because someone taught you.  Someone had you do this daily.  Create a habit.  So we understand that if it is taught to us, we do it daily, that it is going to take time to undo some things.  

You have't to retrain yourself.  If there are habits that you have that are bad, coming between you and your spouse, hindering you from becoming your best, fulfilling God's plan, or maybe it is literally destroying you, then you must take time to evaluate the habit.  Then you must retrain yourself.  Catching yourself when you go to do something, stop, and do what you are supposed to do or something else.

If you continue in the same ole habits  and yet find failure....you must change something.  There are bad behaviors, or habits, that must be dropped.  

Don't stress because there are a gazillion new habits to learn.  Things can always be turned around with prayer, God's word, fasting, and good Godly instruction.

I knew some teenagers who had problems with cussing.  They wanted to stop their potty mouth. lol So they put rubber bands on their wrist.  Every time they cussed they would snap it, reminding themselves this isn't what I want.  

So be creative while you are trying to remold yourself.  Remember to address it in prayer.  God has sent the Holy Spirit to instruct us, befriend us, and help us with such things.  

So pick yourself up, dust your self off and get started on the new you.  The new habits that you are going to form.

Prayer in the morning before you leave to start your day.  It doesn't have't to be 4 hours...it can be just a few minutes.  Then read a verse...dwell on the verse all day.  Let God speak to you through it.

Create NEW Habits.

These are some things that I read about.  They are bad habits that can literally paralyze you.  

A change in bad habits leads to a good change in life…

1. Expecting life to be easy. – Nothing starts easy; everything begins at some level of difficulty.  Even waking up in the morning sometimes requires notable effort.  But one beautiful thing about life is the fact that the most difficult challenges are often the most rewarding and satisfying.
2. Overlooking your true path and purpose. – What really matters in life is not what we buy, but what we build; not what we have, but what we share with the world; not our capability but our character; and not our success but our true significance.  Live a life that makes you proud – one that matters and makes a difference.  Live a life filled with passion and love.  
3. Chasing after those who don’t want to be caught. – Do not chase people.  Be you, do your own thing and work hard on your passions.  The right people who belong in your life will eventually come to you, and stay.
4. Not asking for help when you know you need it. – No matter how far you’ve gone down the wrong road, you can always turn back.  Be STRONG enough to stand alone, SMART enough to know when you need help, and BRAVE enough to ask for it.
5. Letting one dark cloud cover the entire sky. – Take a deep breath.  It’s just a bad moment, or a bad day, not a bad life.  Everyone has troubles.  Everyone makes mistakes.  The secret of happiness is to count your blessings while others are adding up their troubles.
6. Holding on to things you need to let go of. – Letting go doesn’t mean giving up, but rather accepting that there are things in life that should not be.  Sometimes letting go is what makes us stronger, happier and more successful in the long run.
7. Spending time with people who make you unhappy. – People can be cruel, and sometimes they will be.  People can hurt you and break your heart, and sometimes they will.  But only YOU can allow them to continuously hurt you.  Value yourself enough to choose to spend time with people who treat you the way you treat them.  Know your worth.  Know when you have had enough.  And move on from the people who keep chipping away at your happiness.
8. Not making time for those who matter most. – When we take things for granted, these things eventually get taken away.  Too often we don’t realize what we have until it’s gone.  Too often we are too stubborn to say, “I’m sorry, I was wrong.”  Too often it seems we hurt the ones closest to us by letting insignificant issues tear us apart.  Appreciate what you have, who loves you and who cares for you.  You’ll never know how much they mean to you until the day they are no longer beside you.
9. Denying personal responsibility. – You’re getting almost everything you’re getting right now based on the decisions you have made; and you will continue to receive the same things until you choose differently.  You always have some element of control.  There are always other options.  The choices might not be easy, but they are available.  You will not get a different result until you exercise a choice that forces you to grow by habit, by action, and by change.
10. Letting everyone else make decisions for you. – Never allow someone or something that adds very little to your life, control so much of it.  You’ve got to stop caring about what everyone else wants for you, and start actually living for yourself.  Let go of the people and things that continuously hold you back and no longer serve you, because you only get one shot at life.
11. Giving up who YOU are. – Remove yourself from any situation that requires you to give up any one of these three things:  1) Who you are.  2)  What you stand for.  3)  The goals you aspire to achieve.  
12. Quitting as soon as things get slightly difficult. – An arrow can only be shot by pulling it backward; and such is life.  When life is pulling you back with difficulties, it means it’s going to eventually launch you forward in a positive direction.  So keep focusing, and keep aiming!
13. Doing too much and pushing too hard, without pausing. – Plenty of people miss their share of happiness, not because they never find it, but because they never stop long enough to enjoy it.  Sometimes we are so focused on what we want that we miss the things we need most.
14. Discrediting yourself for everything you aren’t. – STOP discrediting yourself for everything you aren’t.  START giving yourself credit for everything you are.
15. Running from current problems and fears. – Trust me, if everyone threw their problems in a pile for you to see, you would grab yours back.  Tackle your problems and fears swiftly, don’t run away from them.  The best solution is to face them head on no matter how powerful they may seem.  Either you own your problems and fears, or they will ultimately own you.
16. Constantly mulling over past hardships. – You’ll never see the great things ahead of you if you keep looking at the bad things behind you.  To reach up for the new, you must let go of the old.  You are exactly where you need to be to reach your goals.  Everything you’ve been through was preparation for where you are right now and where you can be tomorrow.
17. Denying your mistakes. – Remember that most honorable people of all are not those who never make mistakes, but those who admit to them when they do.  And then go on to do their best to make the wrong things right.
18. Expecting your significant other to be perfect. – Remember that you will never find a PERFECT partner to love you in the exact way you had envisioned, only a person who is willing to love you with all that they are.  Someone who will accept you for who you can and cannot be.  And although they will never be PERFECT, finding a partner like this is even BETTER. 
19. Focusing on the negative. – Positive thinking isn’t about expecting the best thing to happen every time, it’s about accepting that whatever happens is good for this moment, and then making the best of it.  So stay positive, and hold on to what’s truly important.  Let your worries go.  No matter how you look at it, some outcomes just don’t make sense right away.  Choosing to carry on with your goals through this uncertainty is what matters.
20. Never allowing things to be good enough. – We are human.  We are not perfect.  We are alive.  We try things.  We make mistakes.  We stumble.  We fall.  We get hurt.  We rise again.  We try again.  We keep learning.  We keep growing.  And we are thankful for this priceless opportunity called life.

WATCH YOUR WORDS

Song - "You Can Use Me" by: Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir

Proverbs 18:21

The Message (MSG)

²¹ Words kill, words give life;
    they’re either poison or fruit—you choose.

The bible clearly lets us know that whatever we are speaking, professing, declaring, will be.  That we can talk negative and bring it forth, or we can declare God's word and promises watch our situations turn around.  

We can speak God's word into someone and watch it manifest or talk negative about them and watch them wither up.  We can't go by what we see, we must speak what needs to transform.

You can either speak to the fool in a person or the King in them.  Which ever you speak to will eventually show up.  When you speak to the King in a Man he will eventually answer back.  

This is a new year in God's time table.  So we have to strategize our thoughts and how we are going to speak daily.  We need to loose old habits and practice new habits of speaking positive.  Speaking good about one another.  Declaring good things and change in our situations, no matter they look like.  

I challenge you to pray God's word, speak God's word, declare God's word and watch your situations, and lives begin to change.  God's word is anointed and it must come to pass.  

TEST N TRIALS

James 1:3
New American Standard Bible (©1995)
Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials,
knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.

Song - "My Life is in your Hands" by: Kirk Franklin

This is a difficult scripture at times to fulfill.  Finding joy when you are walking through tough times, the very testing of your faith, loss, hurt, disappointment, stress, but it is when you can lift your head and know the outcome of who you are becoming.  

God reassures us, that he is not trying to crush us but train, and redirect us.  That he is pruning things and people off of us that will prevent, or hinder His divine purpose in our lives.  

Something that I have learned to do while I am walking through something difficult, is to ask God, what are you trying to teach me in this?  What can I learn?  What are you saying to me right here?  Because if you do ask these questions, and learn, you can move forward and out of it quicker.  If you chose to not listen to God, then you, as they say, Go around the same mountain over and over.  

Prayer, and reading God's word through these tough times, does bring peace and strength.  You can see where God's people went through things and how God wanted them to handle it, and respond.  You learn about the God you serve.  

I ain't gonna lie, I don't pray for these trials, haha, but I am learning how to walk through them more gracefully. How to allow God to utilize them for my good.  We grow and our spiritual muscles are built through every trial and test.  

I pray God's strength, wisdom, understanding, joy, and peace be with you all, as you walk through all the test and trials that you will face.

Song - "Stronger" by:Myron Butler & Levi

JUST REMINISCING.....

Song - "Psalms 18 by: Pastor Clint S. Brown

(Peace in the midst of trouble, comfort and safety in your arms...my everything)

It has been a rough couple of days.  I am faced with so many decisions, and the stress level is at an all time high. Sometimes my shoulders don't feel like they can carry anything any more.  

Daddy is getting worse.  He isn't the Daddy I grew up knowing.  He has a child's mentality.  I still love him dearly, but I want to scream "Where are you Daddy"?  "Don't leave me Daddy".  I have always been able to run to my Daddy and find strength, prayer, counsel and instruction.  I can't do that any more.  He will pray but he can't reason like he used to.  I know it's not about me, it's a time he is walking through and needs more love, and patience than ever.  It's just so hard letting go of yesterday, and embracing my Daddy as a child.  I wouldn't trade him for anything, or anyone, but ....I feel like he is slipping away right before me.

I don't know if this is dementia or because of the stroke he had that has affected the front of his brain.  I just know that he is quickly changing.  

The only way I can explain what I am walking through, is to be real.  It's like I am escorting them to their new home.  I am slowly watching my parents go to the next place.  I am to give them love, comfort, care...while they journey slowly there.  That is what I feel like.  I pray for them.  Have seen amazing miracles for both of them.  I know God's favor is upon them, but I know they won't be here forever.  

Song - "You Are" by: Pastor Clint S. Brown
(Everything that I need, Lord, you have been and you are)

It's so hard to try  to keep them alive and ok....but I know it is but for a season.  I have always had my parents there.  I am spoiled like that.  I didn't have fancy things.  They couldn't send me to college or give me lots of money, but they gave me more love than I ever could have deserved.  They never gave up on me.  They always loved me no matter what.  They helped me raise my kids and invested their all into us or we would have been out on the streets under a bridge somewhere living.  

I don't know why it is hitting me so, except that lately I can see the change in Daddy more.  I know it is normal for it to happen but I already miss him, even though he is still here.  

For Christmas we are going to do up an album to help him remember people.  He doesn't remember very many people.  He faintly remembers some but I think having pictures with names will help him.  I don't want him to forget his family.

Song - "Perfect Peace" by: Marvin Sapp
God is my strength.  He has blessed me with amazing parents.  I pray that he help me to honor, and provide, and give them great love in their latter years.

Song - "He Has His Hands on You" by: Marvin Sapp
(Thank you Lord because I know you have your hands on me and my family, I can rest in you tonight)

Isa 26:3

You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.

IGNORANCE

Song - "Life to Me" by: Clint Brown

God speaks to us over and over, that he wants us to be informed.  He wants his word to be alive, active, and operating in our lives.

If we don't understand his word, we are to seek out, to find, translation and instruction of it.  There is so much in his word that is deep and yet so simple once you grasp it.

When I was walking through so really devastating times, after being raped, abused, abandoned, divorce, poverty...etc.. I felt lost.  I couldn't function like everyone else.  I couldn't bond with friends like everyone else.  It left me, emotionally handicapped. The one thing that the Holy Spirit kept speaking into my spirit was, "Knowledge Empowers".  He was trying to tell me to learn about what I had walked through so I would know how to heal, start over, and fight against it ever happening again.  I did just that.  I found out I was a victim.  But I didn't want to stay that way, so I had to research more to find out how to turn being a Victim into a Victor.

The instruction of God's word and Counsel of others, has turned my life around.  It created a deep desire to know more.  Now I understand how much power knowing about things that people are facing, learning what their alternatives can be, how to help people start over....it all is empowering to take situations that are hopeless, broken, and help them find hope and healing in God and through God's word.

I encourage everyone to get a reference bible, concordance, and such to study and seek out what God says about things.  If you lack faith...look up the word faith and see what God has to say about it.  Learn examples of how others had to walk in it to be over comers.

Here are a few places to use as tools to study out God's word for your situations, and help you grow in God.
Don't walk in ignorance.  Know about your situations, and how to successfully over come them.

*Blue Letter Bible-
http://www.blueletterbible.org/search/translationResults.cfm?Criteria=spirit&t=KJV

*Glo Bible-
http://www.globible.com/

*The Bible-
http://www.bible.com/

*Bible study tools-
http://www.biblestudytools.com/concordances/strongs-exhaustive-concordance/

Song - "Word of God Speak" by:Mercyme

2 Cor. 2:11
King James Bible (Cambridge Ed.)
Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.


II Corinthians 2:11 Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not
ignorant of his devices.

God’s will for His people has always been that they know those things revealed in His
Word. Only when we know God’s Word can we fulfill His will in our lives. God wants us to
know.

I Corinthians 11:3 states, “But I would have you know…” God’s wanting us to know is
found several times in His Word.

Colossians 2:1 For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for
them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh;
This statement is put in a positive vein: I want you to know. Another way of expressing this
is to say, “I would not have you ignorant.” “To know” equals “not to be ignorant.” The
reason God would inspire men to express knowing in the negative, “not be ignorant,” is to
emphasize the positive greatness that is involved.

When it says, I would not have you ignorant,” it could have been translated, “I do not
desire you to be ignorant.” Desire is not just reason but also emotion.
The Greek word is thelō. There are two different words used for “desire” in the Bible. Thelō
is “desiring by natural emotional impulse,” which is stronger than desiring by reasoning. To
desire because of reason is the word boulomai. God did not choose that word in this
particular situation.

The word “not” is absolutely not. I desire not, absolutely not, to have you ignorant,
brethren.

So, what is God saying? God, with a natural emotional impulse, wants us to be so totally
knowing that there are no ifs, and’s or but’s about it. He wants us to get to the place that
we know that we know that we know. We are to be so certain that there are absolutely no
questions about it.

These words, “I would not have you ignorant,” are used seven times in the Word of God,
the number seven being very significant in the usage of numbers in Scripture. Seven
always stands for perfection. Let us look at these seven usages and see what God wants
us “not to be ignorant of.”

1. The fruit which a person carrying on the ministry of reconciliation will bear. Romans 1:13
2. The Mystery of Christ in a believer. Romans 11:25
3. The Old Testament believers’ walk, looking forward to Christ. I Corinthians 10:1

MASK & WALLS

Song - "To Me That's Who You Are" by: Clint S. Brown

Why is it that we so easily put up walls, or tend to put on a mask to prevent others from seeing who we are and what we are going through?  It's like a natural reaction.  Ya get hurt...BAM....walls appear.  You feel afraid or insecure....a Mask forms.

The truth is, it is a natural protection mode.  It is something that as humans we do to protect what we find valuable, our hearts, minds, emotions...etc...

The thing is...just because it is natural does not mean it is the RIGHT thing to do.  Yes the bible says to guard our hearts, but it does not mean to block everyone out.  In all things we must learn balance.  

I will be honest there are many people that I would not be totally open and exposed to because I have learned the rough way, that not all people can handle  YOUR reality.  We all have our own issues that we deal with and are growing in, but when it's someone else's, it can be overwhelming for.  I am just as real as I know a person can handle.  

Often people will try to hide their issues and  try to come off perfect, but honey, they are fooling themselves, if nothing else they are living in denial or pride.  It's not always, what some consider, big stuff...like  stealing, killing, adultery.....(sin is sin to me...big, small, regular sized...it's sin we are the ones who puts in-phases on them) but often it is pride, gossiping, disobedience...yes it's not just what you do, but what you don't do, lying, stirring up trouble, things that some people think are just a normal day. lolol Truth is that we all have something that we are trying to conquer.

I have  four people that I can be real, raw, straight forward with whatever I am going through.  I feel so blessed to have them in my life.  We all need those people that come rain or shine, they are there.  Rather we right or wrong, they still love us.  If we are lovable or  not so lovable, they love us.

We can't walk around with our defenses up always.  There has to come a point to where we let them down, and allow God to heal us, help us to grow.  The best way I have found is praying, reading God's word, and allowing him to use me to help others.  I have been more healed helping others, than all the time of trying to find ways to BE healed.  God has a way of doing things in us as we reach out to others in need.

I encourage you to examine yourself and little by little drop the masks, let the walls fall.  Allow God to guard you and the Holy Spirit to instruct you.  It is a much happier life when you do.  God is the keeper of our heart and lives. Reach out to someone else and love them, instruct them, allow God to use you to help them through their rough time, while you are busy, God will do something miraculous in you.

Song - "Your Love" Psalm 139 by: Oslo Gospel Choir

<< Psalm 16 >> New American Standard Bible

---

8I have set the LORD continually before me;
         Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.

9Therefore my heart is glad and my glory rejoices;
         My flesh also will dwell securely.

10For You will not abandon my soul to Sheol;
         Nor will You allow Your Holy One to undergo decay.

11You will make known to me the path of life;
         In Your presence is fullness of joy;
         In Your right hand there are pleasures forever.

Jeremiah 3:15

Douay-Rheims Bible
And I will give you pastors according to my own heart, and they shall feed you with knowledge and doctrine.

Song - "Keeper of My Heart" by: Meryme

COUNSELING

Song - "Speak to me Lord" by: Mary Mary

It is so important that we understand that seeking Godly, Christian Counsel isn't shameful.  It doesn't mean you are weak, crazy, or frail.  It means that you are facing something that you need instruction and help with. A wise person seeks out Godly Counsel when they are in situations that they cannot seem to overcome and know how to handle.  Allow God to use his servants that have a calling in Counsel and let them help you find healing, restoration in marriages, relationships, and with yourself.  Often even in finances, schooling, parenting, life decisions....we need that extra voice giving word based instruction.  I encourage you, that if you get to that point, be wise and seek counsel.  Receive it with prayer, and God's word.


Not every Pastor has the ability to Counsel in these areas but there are people who have been trained and are able to instruct and help.

“Balance is what God teaches us—the balance between [scripture] verses that say it is a wise person who seeks the counsel of many others and verses that warn if we listen to too many people we will go astray. Somewhere in between is the balance. God wants us to be open, listen to people with the same value systems, but not follow their direction for our lives too closely; rather, use it cautiously — as counsel in finding God’s direction.” (Dr Larry Burkett, from the book: The Word on Finances)

Acquiring wisdom and knowledge can’t be underestimated in it’s importance when you have vital decisions to make. The Bible says in James 1:5, “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.” In asking God for wisdom you partner closer to God as you listen first and then take His counsel.

From the scriptures, you can be assured that God will give you the wisdom you need when you lack it, but sometimes He uses other people to also participate with you in this process.

Below you will find scriptures from the Bible (from the New American Standard version, unless noted otherwise) which talk about obtaining the counsel of others (both good and bad), giving counsel to others, as well as listening to and obtaining the wisdom and knowledge God can give you as you ask Him for it.

As you read through them pray for the discerning spirit you need to deal with the problem(s) you’re facing, whether you should seek the counsel of men before making your final decision or not.

• How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of the scoffers! But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night. (Psalm 1:1-2)

• A wise man will hear and increase in learning, and a man of understanding will acquire wise counsel. (Proverbs 1:5)

• Instruct a wise man and he will be wiser still; teach a righteous man and he will add to his learning. (Proverbs 9:9)

• The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction. (Proverbs 1:7)

• Do not despise the Lord’s discipline and do not resent His rebuke, because the Lord disciplines those He loves, as a father the son he delights in. (Proverbs 3:11-12.)

• How blessed is the man who finds wisdom, and the man who gains understanding. For its profit is better than the profit of silver, and its gain than fine gold. She is more precious than jewels; and nothing you desire compares with her. Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, and happy are all who hold her fast. The Lord by wisdom founded the earth; by understanding He established the heavens. (Proverbs 3:13-19)

• Wisdom is protection just as money is protection. But the advantage of knowledge is that wisdom preserves the lives of its possessors. (Proverbs 7:12)

• Listen to my instruction and be wise; do not ignore it. Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway. For whoever finds me finds life and receives favor from the Lord. (Proverbs 8:32-35)

• Whoever corrects a mocker invites insult; whoever rebukes a wicked man incurs abuse. Do not rebuke a mocker or he will hate you; rebuke a wise man and he will love you. (Proverbs 9:7-8)

• Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser, teach a righteous man, and he will increase his learning. (Proverbs 9:9)

• He who heeds discipline shows the way to life, but whoever ignores correction leads others astray. (Proverbs 10:17 NIV)

• Where there is no guidance, the people fall, but in abundance of counselors there is victory. (Proverbs 11:14)

• Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid.(Proverbs 12:1)

• The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man is he who listens to counsel. (Proverbs 12:15)

• He who speaks the truth tells what is right, but a false witness, deceit. (Proverbs 12:17)

• Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.(Proverbs 12:18 NIV)

• Anxiety in the heart of a man weighs it down, but a good word makes it glad.(Proverbs 12:25)

• Through presumption comes nothing but strife, but with those who receive counsel is wisdom. (Proverbs 13:10)

• Poverty and shame will come to him who neglects discipline, but he who regards reproof will be honored. (Proverbs 13:18)

• He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.(Proverbs 13:20)

• Leave the presence of a fool, or you will not discern words of knowledge. (Proverbs 14:7)

• The naive believes everything, but the prudent man considers his steps. (Proverbs 14:15)

• The naive inherit folly, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge. (Proverbs 14:18)

• A mocker resents correction; he will not consult the wise. (Proverbs 15:12)

• The discerning heart seeks knowledge, but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly.(Proverbs 15:14)

• Without consultation, plans are frustrated, but with many counselors they succeed.(Proverbs 15:22)

• He who listens to a life-giving rebuke will be at home among the wise. He who ignores discipline despises himself, but whoever heeds correction gains understanding.(Proverbs 15:31-32 NIV)

• The fear of the Lord teaches a man wisdom, and humility comes before honor.(Proverbs 15:33 NIV)

• How much better it is to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding is to be chosen above silver. (Proverbs 16:16)

• Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers; blessed is he who trusts in the Lord.(Proverbs 16:20)

• The mind of the prudent acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge. (Proverbs 18:15)

• He who gets wisdom loves his own soul; he who cherishes understanding prospers.(Proverbs 19:8)

• Listen to counsel and accept discipline, that you may be wise the rest of your days.(Proverbs 19:20)

• There is gold, and an abundance of jewels; but the lips of knowledge are a more precious thing. (Proverbs 20:15)

• Prepare plans by consultation, and make war by wise guidance. (Proverbs 20:18)

• There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the Lord. (Proverbs 21:30 NIV)

• Pay attention and listen to the sayings of the wise; apply your heart to what I teach, for it is pleasing when you keep them in your heart and have all of them ready on your lips. So that your trust may be in the Lord, I teach you today, even you. Have I not written thirty sayings for you, sayings of counsel and knowledge, teaching you true and reliable words, so that you can give sound answers to him who sent you?(Proverbs 22:17-21 NIV)

• Do not speak to a fool, for he will scorn the wisdom of your words. (Proverbs 23:9 NIV)

• Apply your heart to instruction and your ears to words of knowledge. (Proverbs 23:12 NIV)

• Listen to your father, who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old. (Proverbs 23:22 NIV)

• Buy the truth and do not sell it; get wisdom, discipline and understanding. (Proverbs 23:23 NIV)

• By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established; and by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches. A wise man has great power, and a man of knowledge increases strength. (Proverbs 24:3-5 NIV)

• By wise guidance you will wage war, and in abundance of counselors there is victory.(Proverbs 24:6)

• Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold is a wise man’s rebuke to a listening ear. (Proverbs 25:12 NIV)

• Like one who seizes a dog by the ears is a passer-by who meddles in a quarrel not his own (Proverbs 26:17 NIV)

• Oil and perfume make the heart glad, so a man’s counsel is sweet to his friend. Do not forsake your own friend or your father’s friend, and do not go to your brother’s house in the day of your calamity; better is a neighbor who is near than a brother far away. (Proverbs 27:9-10)

• A man who loves wisdom makes his father glad, but he who keeps company with harlots wastes his wealth. (Proverbs 29:3)

• Every word of God is flawless; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him. Do not add to His words, or He will rebuke you and prove you a liar. (Proverbs 30:5-6)

• I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you. (Psalm 32:8 NIV)

• A poor, yet wise lad is better than an old and foolish king who no longer knows how to receive instruction. (Ecclesiastes 4:13)

• Do not pay attention to every word people say, or you may hear your servant cursing you—for you know in your heart that many times you yourself have cursed others. (Ecclesiastes 7:21-22 NIV)

• Words from a wise man’s mouth are gracious, but a fool is consumed by his own lips. At the beginning his words are folly; at the end they are wicked madness—and the fool is consumed by his own lips. (Ecclesiastes 10:12 NIV)

• When a righteous man turns from his righteousness and does evil, and I put a stumbling block before him, he will die. Since you did not warn him, he will die. Since you did not warn him he will die for his sin. The righteous things he did will not be remembered, and I will hold you accountable for his blood. But if you do warn the righteous man not to sin and he does not sin, he will surely live because he took warning, and you will have saved yourself. (Ezekiel 3:20-21 NIV)

• Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, “Let me take the speck out of your eye when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye. (Matthew 7:1-5 NIV)

• Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. (Matthew 7:7-8 NIV)

• If your brother sins, go and reprove him in private; if he listens to you, you have won your brother. But if he does not listen to you, take one or two more with you, so that by the mouth of two or three witnesses every fact may be confirmed. And if he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax-gatherer. (Matthew 18:15-17)

• So then each of us shall give account of himself to God. (Romans 14:12)

• Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good morals.” (1 Corinthians 15:33)

• Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. (Galatians 6:1-2 NIV)

• Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, wither in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (Colossians 3:16-17 NIV)

• We command you, brethren, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep aloof from every brother who leads an unruly life and not according to the tradition which you received from us. (1Thessalonians 3:5)

• Now we must ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone. Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else. (1 Thessalonians 5:12-15 NIV)

• See to it that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. (Hebrews 3:12-13 NIV)

• The wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy. (James 3:17)

• I heard the voice of many angels…and the living creatures and the elders saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing. (Revelation 5:11-12)