John Stanko

Your daily dose of Proverbs:

“When I was a boy in my father’s house, still tender,
and an only child of my mother, he taught me” - 4:3-4.

It is never too early to teach a child about the Lord and His ways. What are you doing to prepare the next generation to serve the Lord? What about your own children, nieces and nephews? What more can you do to instruct them or the children in your church? Read what Jesus said about little children in Matthew 19:14.

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PLEASE NOTE:  In case you missed the announcement, I am discontinuing this daily devotional in favor of another one entitled, "What Would Jesus Ask?"  I will post the daily Proverbs for three more days, after which you can download the month-by-month Daily Dose on my website or from my blog.  You will find instructions for how to do that and an overview of the new devotional here.  If you have subscribed to a Daily Dose, you will automatically continue to receive What Would Jesus Ask, unless you unsubscribe. Thank you and I hope you enjoy the new devotional.

Your daily dose of Proverbs:

“For the Lord gives wisdom,
and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding” - 2:6.

Wisdom is a gift from God. You cannot earn it but you can position yourself to receive it. What's more, God is always communicating.  Are you listening for Him?  Do you expect answers to your problems and questions?  Solomon asked for wisdom in 1 Kings 3:5-15 and God gave it to him.  Why don't you ask, too?

Your daily dose of Proverbs:

“For acquiring a disciplined and prudent life, doing what is right and just and fair” - 1:3.

A fruitful and productive life doesn't just happen or fall from the sky. It takes planning, hard work, diligence, and God’s grace. What are your goals this year to improve your quality of life. bear fruit, and to be more disciplined?  Set goals in as many areas as possible - financial, health, spiritual, personal development, and family. Read Joshua 24:14-15 and make it your theme this year as you take steps to grow and be more faithful. 

Your daily dose of Proverbs:

“Do not spend your strength on women, your vigor on those who ruin kings” - 31:3.

Your relationships should be godly and life-giving. Are there any people in your life who are hindering your ability to go forward and be the person God wants you to be? Perhaps the coming year is when you make some adjustments so you can give your energy and attention to your purpose and goals and not to so many dysfunctional people. See what Jesus had to say about your relationships in Matthew 10:34-39 and what Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 2:14-18. Then make any changes based on their commands.

Your daily dose of Proverbs:

"What is his name, and the name of his son? 
Tell me if you know!” - 30:4.

If you were given a quiz on your faith and the Bible, how well would you do?  What goals can you set in the coming year that will enable you to grow in the knowledge of your faith, the Bible and the Lord Himself? Your goals should not only be to increase learning, but to apply that learning to godly living.  It is the longest psalm, but perhaps you can end the year by reading Psalm 119 and note the connection between the Word and holiness.  If you would rather listen to that psalm, you can do that here.

SPECIAL NOTE:  Be watching for a new devotional on January 1 as I phase out Proverbs (it will be online to access any time you wish) and introduce the new devotional entitled, "What Would Jesus Ask?"

Your daily dose of Proverbs:

“A man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father” - 29:3. 

What you do and who you are impacts those closest to you, for good or not. Your love for wisdom and your desire to apply it will be a blessing to your family, whether natural or church, because true wisdom effects your behavior and no one acting with wisdom ever acts poorly. Do you love wisdom? What can you do to get even more of it? How can you express your love for wisdom in the coming year in a way that will bring others help and joy? Read James 3:17-18 to better understand wisdom and its traits and then set a course to obtain practical wisdom that will be a blessing to others, especially those you love and love you.

Your daily dose of Proverbs:

"Do not boast about tomorrow,
for you do not know what  day may bring forth" - Proverbs 27:1. 

You should live every day like it is your last, while at the same time setting ambitious long-term goals. What can you do to maximize this day? What can you plan today that can be done in ten years, one day at a time?  To understand the tension between the long- and short-term, read James 4:13-17, and then 1 Kings 6:37-38 and 1 Kings 7:1-3 to learn of Solomon's long-term building program.  What can you do for the Lord in the next 13 years if you start today?

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HELP NEEDED! This week I received a $750 matching grant toward The Big Blessing for Kenya to help feed children like those pictured here. The grant offer expires, however, on December 31 and I have received $50. The grant means for every dollar you give by December 31, you are actually giving two dollars. Don't miss this chance to be a blessing and to double your gift.  You can give through my website or by sending a check to PurposeQuest, PO Box 8882, Pittsburgh, PA 15221-0882.  Remember to mark your contribution "Matching Grant" and I will take care of the rest. Thank you and Happy New Year!

Your daily dose of Proverbs:

“Like cutting off one’s feet or drinking violence
is the sending of a message by the hand of a fool" - 26:6.

This verse employs a graphic simile, but it shows that God highly values faithfulness to deliver His message of life in Christ. You carry the most important message that Jesus was born to save men from their sins. Are you proclaiming it every chance you get? What more can you do in the coming year to proclaim God's goodness? Read Psalm 119:46 and 1 Peter 3:15 to see the kind of eager response the Lord expects you to give to all who ask.

Your daily dose of Proverbs:

“As the heavens are high and the earth is deep,
so the hearts of kings are unsearchable” - 25:3.

A King was born in Bethlehem 2,000 years ago and His name is Jesus. The goodness and mercy in His heart are unsearchable and endless, but the Word of God reveals and explains them to us. Celebrate the birth of Christ today and every day, and never lose your wonder for the King of glory and His unsearchable love for you! Read Ephesians 2:3-5 and be reminded of God's great love for you today!

Your daily dose of Proverbs:

". . . And the lamp of the wicked will be snuffed out" - 24:20. 

The Christmas story is one of good triumphing over evil and doing so through the birth of a baby and not through a war or epic struggle. The wicked King Herod tried to kill the baby Jesus and almost succeeded. Yet what became of Herod? He died and his kingdom came to nothing, while Jesus and His flock live and reign forever. True to today's verse, Herod's lamp was snuffed out, while Jesus leads His people to victory in this life and the next, overcoming sin and death on their behalf. Are you living in the fullness of this eternal victory that Christ won for you? Read 2 Corinthians 2:14 and 1 Corinthians 15:53-55 and be reminded of the victory over all things that you have in Christ.