P31 CHALLENGE: Proverbs 29

Proverbs 29 New Living Translation (NLT)   Whoever stubbornly refuses to accept criticism     will suddenly be destroyed beyond recovery. 2 When the godly are in authority, the people rejoice.     But when the wicked are in power, they groan. 3 The man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father,     but if he hangs around with prostitutes, his wealth is wasted. 4 A just king gives stability to his nation,     but one who demands bribes destroys it. 5 To flatter friends     is to lay a trap for their feet. 6 Evil people are trapped by sin,     but the righteous escape, shouting for joy. 7 The godly care about the rights of the poor;     the wicked don’t care at all. 8 Mockers can get a whole town agitated,     but the wise will calm anger. 9 If a wise person takes a fool to court,     there will be ranting and ridicule but no satisfaction. 10 The bloodthirsty hate blameless people,     but the upright seek to help them. 11 Fools vent their anger,     but the wise quietly hold it back. 12 If a ruler pays attention to liars,     all his advisers will be wicked. 13 The poor and the oppressor have this in common—     the Lord gives sight to the eyes of both. 14 If a king judges the poor fairly,     his throne will last forever. 15 To discipline a child produces wisdom,     but a mother is disgraced by an undisciplined child. 16 When the wicked are in authority, sin flourishes,     but the godly will live to see their downfall. 17 Discipline your children, and they will give you peace of mind     and will make your heart glad. 18 When people do not accept divine guidance, they run wild.     But whoever obeys the law is joyful. 19 Words alone will not discipline a servant;     the words may be understood, but they are not heeded. 20 There is more hope for a fool     than for someone who speaks without thinking. 21 A servant pampered from childhood     will become a rebel. 22 An angry person starts fights;     a hot-tempered person commits all kinds of sin. 23 Pride ends in humiliation,     while humility brings honor. 24 If you assist a thief, you only hurt yourself.     You are sworn to tell the truth, but you dare not testify. 25 Fearing people is a dangerous trap,     but trusting the Lord means safety. 26 Many seek the ruler’s favor,     but justice comes from the Lord. 27 The righteous despise the unjust;     the wicked despise the godly.     REFLECTION Father, remind me of the vision that You have for my life.  Remind me that I am fearfully and wonderfully made, and You have made me unique with a unique vision to impact others for Your kingdom.  Deliver me from pride or from comparing myself to others but to joyfully accept where You have placed me, and what You have called me to do.  I joyfully today recommit myself to that vision and that purpose.  Continue to unpack what that means in my life as I choose to pursue it with everything You place inside of me.     ----- Missed any days from the P31 Challenge?  All the P31 e-mails are archived here.