Adeola Akinsemoyin @mantha

Between the year 640 to 608 BC, the prophet Zephaniah spoke to the people of Israel. He warned them of God’s judgment, but he also reminded them of God’s promise for their future. 

“The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with singing.” 
Zephaniah 3:17 ESV

We aren’t the people of Israel in 640 BC hearing this, but, as students of God’s Word, we can also find comfort in Zephaniah’s words. 

We know that God came into our midst through Jesus and that He gave us His Spirit when we believed (John 1:14; Galatians 4:6). We also know that we are deeply loved by God (1 John 4:16). Paul teaches that the peace of God will guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus when we pray to Him (Philippians 4:6-7).

So although we are not Zephaniah’s original audience, we can find comfort in knowing that God is the same throughout all generations. He is still in our midst, He still actively rescues people, He still rejoices over us, and He still covers His children with His unending love.

He is still our mighty God, and He cares for those who come and call on Him.  

So today, take some time to thank God for His faithfulness and reflect on His unchanging character. Then, re-read Zephaniah 3:17 and speak that verse out loud over yourself and your family.

Courtesy: YouVersion

If you’re a good athlete, it shows every time you compete. If you’re a fantastic cook, the truth comes out in the kitchen. If you have a brilliant mind, you can’t help but solve problems. If you have a stunning voice, such talent can’t stay hidden.
 
We might present ourselves a certain way, but who we are will eventually come out. This is why James encourages Christians to prove who they are through the way they live. To prove something simply means to show that it’s true. 

Do you say that you trust God? Prove it by starting your day with a genuine confidence in Him. 

Do you say that you love your neighbor? Show it by going out of your way to notice, serve, and honor the people around you. 

Do you call yourself a follower of Jesus? Prove it by living your life in a way that reflects His heart. This doesn’t mean you’ll be perfect, but it does mean that even when you mess up, you will still try to make things right. And not because you must work for God’s favor or earn His love, but because your actions reveal what is happening inside of you. As Jesus said in Luke 6:45, “… What you say flows from what is in your heart.”

So, how can we live an honorable life? By doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom. Not worldly wisdom, but godly wisdom. When we stick close to God, who invented wisdom, He transforms us from the inside out.

So if you claim to be wise and understand God’s ways, prove it by the way you live. And when questions arise—go to the One who has answers. Even on the most overwhelming of days, trust that God is by your side.

Today, ask yourself: “Do my thoughts match what people see on the outside?” Then, ask God: “Show me how to do what You’ve called me to do, and be who You’ve called me to be.”

Courtesy: YouVersion

Would you ever build a house without blueprints? Or assemble an airplane without instructions? Or conduct open-heart surgery without training?

Hopefully your answer is “no.”

If we want to know how something works, we should look to the expert for insight. In a similar way, if we want to know how the world works, we should look to God.

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.”
Proverbs 9:10 ESV

God made the world and everything in it. He knows how life works best.

But too often, we look to ourselves or even to others to tell us who we are, what to think, and to explain to us how life works. The good news is:

Wisdom doesn’t begin with us—the created.
Wisdom begins with God—the Creator.

Are you interested in real wisdom? Genuine insight? True understanding? Look to God, study His ways, and consider His character. Examine Him closely and find what you’re searching for.

Real wisdom starts with a God-centered foundation. Everything else is built on that rock.

But as we do that, we must first honestly ask ourselves some hard questions: Do I want to learn from God, or would I rather do my own thing? Do I want godly wisdom, or would I rather be my own god?

Satan fell from heaven because he wanted more power than God. Adam and Eve struggled in the garden because they weren’t sure if they could trust God. And ever since, every human has been faced with a choice: to seek God, or seek life without Him. No one can make the decision for you, but if you want to be truly wise, you must choose God.

So right now, be real with yourself: Are you willing to surrender your way of thinking and genuinely look to God, or would you rather just do your own thing? If you feel a wall of pride going up within you, ask God to help you knock it down. Brick by brick, He can reestablish your foundation.

Courtesy: YouVersion

Devotional by YouVersion

If you’ve ever gone on a trip somewhere you’ve never been before, you know just how important a map is. Maps help us navigate the unknown areas ahead. Similarly, God’s Word helps us navigate through the unknown seasons of life. God’s Word reveals God’s wisdom, which guides our lives. 

Proverbs is a book of wisdom filled with knowledge that helps people live according to God’s purposes for their life.

The book of Proverbs begins by acknowledging that everything begins with God.

Because God is the creator of life, He knows what direction our lives should go. Our role, according to Proverbs, is to seek Him, and trust Him. Trusting God means believing that He knows what is best for us, and proving it by having a relationship with Him.

The more that we trust in God and submit our life to Him, the more we will live in accordance with God’s will. Proverbs 3:6 says that when we submit to God’s wisdom in all our ways, He will direct and guide us. And thankfully, God has given us Scripture to show us what His will really looks like. 

That’s why it’s important to read God’s Word daily and get familiar with all that God says, so that in every area of life, we can trust Him to direct our paths.

Take some time today to pray about the direction your life is headed in. If there are situations you’re unsure about, ask God to give you wisdom. Allow Him to direct your paths. And as you talk to Him, get in the habit of reading His Word every day so that you can grow in God’s knowledge and wisdom as you go through life.