John Stanko

Proverbs 10:27

Your daily dose of Proverbs:

“The fear of the Lord adds length to life,
but the years of the wicked are cut short” - 10:27.

There is only one way to maximize life and that is to do God's will, which is simply what you love and enjoy as often as possible.  Are your days spent dreading what you do, or do you attack every day with energy and enthusiasm?  Read what Paul had to say about investing your life wisely in 1 Corinthians 3:10-15 and then start spending yourself so your life can count to the max!

Proverbs 9:11

Your daily dose of Proverbs:

"For through me [wisdom] your days will be many,
and years will be added to your life" - 9:11.

When you do right, there are good implications for your life in general. One is that your days or effectiveness won't be cut short by unwise behavior. Are you making the most of your time, so much so that God may give you more? See Ephesians 5:15-17 to read what Paul had to say about this matter.

Proverbs 8:33

Your daily dose of Proverbs:

“Listen to my instruction and be wise; do not ignore it” - 8:33. 

Many heard Jesus but did not do what they heard. That is why He often said, "He who has ears, let him hear" (Mark 4:9). Be honest: is there any truth you have heard, but have not yet applied in your life?  This would be something like the need to be generous, but you don't give, or the importance of prayer, but you don't pray.  You may want to go on and read what Jesus said about listening in Mark 4:23-25.

Proverbs 7:24

Your daily dose of Proverbs: 

“Now then, my sons, listen to me; pay attention to what I say” - 7:24.

Your job is not just to be a hearer of the Word, but a doer also. Wisdom is knowing what to do with the knowledge that you gain about God and His will. Are you paying attention to what you hear and then following through with appropriate action? You may want to read what the New Testament has to say about this issue in John 13:17 and James 1:22-24.

Proverbs 6:23

Your daily dose of Proverbs:

“For these commands are a lamp, this teaching is a light,
and the corrections of discipline are the way of life . . .” - 6:23.

God's ways are well-lit. Guidance should not be a problem for you, for if God wants you to do His will, then He must reveal what that will is.  If you are struggling, is the issue that you know what God wants and really don't want to do it? That was true with Moses who, after he exhausted a list of excuses, simply told the Lord he did not want to go in Exodus 4:13-17.

Proverbs 5:7

Your daily dose of Proverbs:

“Now then, my sons, listen to me;
do not turn aside from what I say” - 5:7.

In Revelation, John heard a "loud voice" 21 times!  God is always broadcasting for any and all to hear.  Are you listening?  Are you tuned to the right station, so to speak?  What are you doing to keep what God has spoken before you at all times?  Have you turned aside from anything He said?  Why not do a word search for the word "loud" in Revelation or at least look at Revelation 1:10-11 to see one example of heaven's inescapable voice.

Proverbs 4:9

Your daily dose of Proverbs:

“She [wisdom] will set a garland of grace on your head
and present you with a crown of splendor” - 4:9.

There is always a reward for seeking God diligently and consistently. If you persevere, you will receive royal rewards because you are a child of the King. This does not happen overnight, however, and may require years and decades of devoted study and committed service.  Are you up to the task?  Read the promises Jesus made in Luke 22:29-30 and Matthew 25:20-22 to all those who faithfully follow Him.

Proverbs 3:24

Your daily dose of Proverbs:

“When you lie down, you will not be afraid;
when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet” - 3:24.

Fear is the great crippler, preventing you from resting in God. It keeps you mediocre and averse to any kind of risk. What are your debilitating fears? What would you do if it wasn't for your fear of criticism, failure, ridicule or poverty?  Read what Peter quoted Isaiah 8:12 when he urged his readers not to live in fear in 1 Peter 3:13-15.

Proverbs 2:12-13

Your daily dose of Proverbs:

“Wisdom will save you from the ways of wicked men . . .
who leave the straight paths to walk in dark ways” - 2:12-13.

The media is full of stories about people who did evil things they promised they would never do as described in James 1:12-15. You are not immune from temptation or sin. What precautions are you taking to insure that you stay on the straight path? What are you doing to get and maintain the wisdom you need for daily living?  You can take comfort in the fact that God will never allow you to be tempted beyond your means to resist as Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 10:11-13. 

Proverbs 1:19

Your daily dose of Proverbs:

“Such is the end of all who go after ill-gotten gain;
it takes away the lives of those who get it” - 1:19.

There are consequences for every choice. If you choose poorly, you cannot blame God for the results.  If you choose wisely, you will find life and peace.  Where are you reaping the results of bad choices you have made?  Can you make better choices today that will yield blessings for you and others tomorrow?  For encouragement in this, read what Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 15:58.