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Day 24
Day 24 | Determine 1 Area To Improve
ACTIVITY
Continue:
- P.A.C.T.—Pray | Ask | Confess | Thank
- P.A.S.S.—Pray Prior | Author's Intent | Stop when Convicted | Share
Your Call To Act (C.T.A.) today is:
- Determine one area to improve and write it down (consider one of the 5-F categories—Faith, Family, Finances, Fitness, and Friendships)
PROVERBS 17
17 Better a dry crust with peace and quiet
than a house full of feasting, with strife.
2 A prudent servant will rule over a disgraceful son
and will share the inheritance as one of the family.
3 The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold,
but the Lord tests the heart.
4 A wicked person listens to deceitful lips;
a liar pays attention to a destructive tongue.
5 Whoever mocks the poor shows contempt for their Maker;
whoever gloats over disaster will not go unpunished.
6 Children’s children are a crown to the aged,
and parents are the pride of their children.
7 Eloquent lips are unsuited to a godless fool—
how much worse lying lips to a ruler!
8 A bribe is seen as a charm by the one who gives it;
they think success will come at every turn.
9 Whoever would foster love covers over an offense,
but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.
10 A rebuke impresses a discerning person
more than a hundred lashes a fool.
11 Evildoers foster rebellion against God;
the messenger of death will be sent against them.
12 Better to meet a bear robbed of her cubs
than a fool bent on folly.
13 Evil will never leave the house
of one who pays back evil for good.
14 Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam;
so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out.
15 Acquitting the guilty and condemning the innocent—
the Lord detests them both.
16 Why should fools have money in hand to buy wisdom,
when they are not able to understand it?
17 A friend loves at all times,
and a brother is born for a time of adversity.
18 One who has no sense shakes hands in pledge
and puts up security for a neighbor.
19 Whoever loves a quarrel loves sin;
whoever builds a high gate invites destruction.
20 One whose heart is corrupt does not prosper;
one whose tongue is perverse falls into trouble.
21 To have a fool for a child brings grief;
there is no joy for the parent of a godless fool.
22 A cheerful heart is good medicine,
but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
23 The wicked accept bribes in secret
to pervert the course of justice.
24 A discerning person keeps wisdom in view,
but a fool’s eyes wander to the ends of the earth.
25 A foolish son brings grief to his father
and bitterness to the mother who bore him.
26 If imposing a fine on the innocent is not good,
surely to flog honest officials is not right.
27 The one who has knowledge uses words with restraint,
and whoever has understanding is even-tempered.
28 Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent,
and discerning if they hold their tongues.
TRANSCRIPT
Goal: Determine 1 Area That You Want To Improve
As we get accountability started, we have to begin with some kind of goal. Is it wrong that we said in our own mind? It’s not something someone else sets for us. I think the best way to determine an area to grow is to think about those 5F categories faith family finance fitness friendships. And then determine, did you hear me I said to determine one area that you want to improve. That’s it that’s what I want you to do today is to determine one area in your life that you want to improve that’s it.
DEVO
A friend loves at all times,
and a brother is born for adversity.—Proverbs 17:17
You know you want them, but they are often hard to find—they're friends. The kind of friends that will get up at 2:00 am and rush to your aid for no other reason than they care about you. While you may be afraid to admit it openly, I bet you wish deep down you had friends like this. A friend that was "closer than a brother." Yet men, too often, go through life without one.
This proverb speaks openly about what men seldom confess. We long for meaningful relationships with other men. (I made that bold, so you don't miss it.) It's a friendship that ascends the bond of two male siblings. It's a masculine need to be known, valued, and loved regardless of our successes or shortcomings. And it's not something you stumble upon; it's something that you must intentionally build. We commonly call this friend a "brother" because he means so much more than "friend."
DO THIS: Be a brother today, and thank someone for their friendship.
PRAY THIS: God, you know my need for friendship. Help me to be loved and to extend love to others. God, send me a friend who is closer than a brother.
Share That You Completed Today's Challenge
Family
Family. Need to spend more time with them and not so much of myself time.
More family time
My goal is to be a better Christian dad to my sons. I need to pour into them and set a better example of what it means to be a Christian.
A fitness goal of reducing the nightly glass or 2 of wine that prevents me from true exercise. A family goal of supporting my daughter as she transitions from college to the workplace.
I need to do a better job of engaging in conversations at home with my wife and daughter.
Spend more time with wife and family, less time at work.
One day behind!!! (But still got in my prayer time)
2 fs fitness and finance
Fornme, it would be family. In that category I need to improve my husbanding. Specifically, I need to verbalize to my wife what I’m thinking and the rationale for my actions. I am so used to keeping it all in my head. When I don’t share, feelings are hurt.
Father, I pray for your truth, guidance & strength to turn away from the old man & walk with my new man.
Family. I need to work on being the better husband, father, and spiritual lead that God created me to be.
The on who has knowledge uses words with restraint, and whoever has understanding is even-tempered.
I want to improve on being less self centered and more giving toward others.
I like the verse that says “a cheerful heart is good medicine.” Being positive can help keep up our spirits even in the face of adversity.
The exercise was to pick an area to be held accountable in. I am thinking faith and following the disciplines that have been highlighted in this study. I also have an idea about a accountability partner. I do a good job on the fitness, family, finances, friends. I also have ideas of that into the future.
I thought this chapter on Proverbs spoke to me more than the other chapters.
(2/14/21) Proverbs 16:3, 9 The Passion Translation
“Before you do anything, put your trust totally in God and not in yourself. Then every plan you make will succeed.”
“Within your heart you can make plans for your future, but the Lord chooses the steps you take to get there.”
This morning I was determined to follow the plans I made for this day. This evening, my plans have totally changed, and they are nothing like what I had planned. I must seek God’s plans before I do anything else, then, I can follow His guidance instead of moving ahead with my own.
Verse 6 stuck with me today. Having raised three boys and now watching them raise their children, it is good to see that God is part of their lives. How blessed I am to be a part of that, but it needs continued prayer, scripture reading, brotherhood, accountability and finally ministry to make this all work. Very good fundamental disciplines for me to adhere to. This is my prayer to God, help me to be that example for my children and grandchildren. That is also my prayer for all us as men. More than ever today we need these disciplines.
I want to become a more cheerful and giving heart.
17 A friend loves at all times,
and a brother is born for a time of adversity.
From love comes friendship and trust
Faith is an area l feel that l fall short, thinking that can do it better instead of letting God take over, l want to help God as if he not able to do it alone
I’m taking this opportunity to confront my passive-aggressive tendencies that hinder my usefulness to God.
I know he said to just choose ONE area in Faith, Family, Finances, Fitness, and Friendships, but I think I have several things in each that could be improved.
🙁
My area is accountability with family. Specifically, I want to build stronger relationships with my kids and actively teach and lead them to follow Jesus.
The one who has knowledge uses words with restraint,
and whoever has understanding is even-tempered.
– Wow, need to learn to retrain my words,
12 Better to meet a bear robbed of her cubs
than a fool bent on folly.
This is a great scripture to meditate on. Fools will certainly lead us astray. We have to recognize the fools before harm is done.
27 The one who has knowledge uses words with restraint,
and whoever has understanding is even-tempered.
28 Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent,
and discerning if they hold their tongues.
Family and those closest to me. I have a tendency to get easily frustrated and angry. Then I open my mouth and say something sarcastic or terse. It is not usually well received and feelings are hurt or arguments ensue. I need to be quicker to listen, slower to speak and much slower to anger.
One area that I am looking to improve is having better communication with my wife as well as kids in explaining what I want from them and what is needed to accomplish it.
Praying for communication—now!
28 Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent,
and discerning if they hold their tongues.
Or another way to put it…
Abraham Lincoln’s witty saying: “It is better to keep your mouth shut and let them think you a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.”
Finances
Self-control
With me doing this 35 day challenge in the beginning I asked 2 of my Christian brothers to help be my accountability partners. And to this day they have been. Having that helps makes us all strong because we talk about the issues and bounce thoughts and feelings off of one another. God is so good!
Need to work on being more silent.
Yup I figured out my goal, now to act on it daily
Faith. Definitely in the area of my convictions. I want to grow in the right ones and tear down wrong ones. I want to allow my self to be guided by proper convictions of who God is, and what He is for me.
Need to work on my tongue and reducing/eliminating vulgar language especially when I get angry.
v17 A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.
This gets to the heart of this challenge. I am so thankful that I have a couple of close friends that are “closer” than a brother. These guys have helped me get through some difficult times. Thank you Jesus for good, Christian brothers.
Friends
Fitness,done
Friendship.
Friendships
Patience
A friend loves at all times,
and a brother is born for adversity.—Proverbs 17:17
My F is fitness, Last month I started walking on a regular basis in my neighborhood. I was able to walk 20 days averaging about 2 miles a day. I need to continue. It is more difficult now as I live in the desert of AZ, but morning are still cool. Lord, help me to wake up ready to walk physically but also in your ways.
Faith
Thanks, Tom for sticking with this challenge with me! God Bless You!
Im with you Cory! I have been working on this for a while now, but it continues to be my struggle. I support you and its good to know other men stuggle in the same areas i do. Somtimes struggle can feel so lonely.
19 “Whoever loves a quarrel loves sin; whoever builds a high gate invites destruction.” Growing up, I used to live to argue with my sister, I still do like to argue, but it’s not something I actively seek out anymore. One area I need to improve on building more relationships with Godly men.
Amen
So – what do You do with verse 8? “A bribe is like a lucky charm; whoever gives one will prosper!”
Proverbs 17:8 NLT
I think it is essentially saying bribes work. I don’t think it is condoning bribes at all. Bribes are considered wrong throughout the OT…but they work and they allow one to prosper. But, if you look at other references to bribes, it says people are running after gifts but are not doing the will of the Father.
Fitness: It always seems that I run out of time for this.
Fitness. Gotta get jacked.
I believe I could improve in 4 of the5 categories . But My main concern for change is fitness / Diet/health.
Been procrastinating on this for some time . Blessings to all my Brothers.
I mentioned this early in the series. One thing I need to work on is finances, more for my kids. We have most things “set up” for retirement, ins (both us and kids), and current living; however, we have not done a good job at all in setting up the kids for college.
I am going to work on family. My wife is fighting stage 4 cancer and I need to be a better spiritual leader to my wife and kids through this storm.
Spiritual leadership with my family
Verse 17
Just a great reminder that we need to love our friends at ALL times, even though that may take many forms (encouragement, appreciation, rebuking, etc). We also need to use that criteria for understanding who around us is truly a friend. And I love that it says a “brother is born for a time of adversity”. How true it is that we need our “brothers“ in our times of hardship.
My area for improvement will be fitness. I’m coming off of a back surgery last fall and have recently been cleared to resume all activities, so it’s perfect timing.
get “out of the box” regarding the people closest to me. Reading Leadership and Self-Deception and finding it to be very convicting…
I’m choosing Family. Creating a healthy balance of being a developing parent and continuing to grow in my marriage.
My “F” would for fruit, as in “fruit of the spirit.” I need for more of all of them!
More specifically, my lack of patience at times, primarily with my 3 young sons, is the probably the primary source of any difficulty I have in my blessed life.
Sometimes I shine, sometimes I fail spectacularly. I know it’s ultimately rooted in selfishness, so I need to practice sacrificing more, even more, to demonstrate my love for them.
I choose Faith (Trust)… if God says He will, He will… its a promise… so, do I worry (which is negative meditation) or do I give it to God and his promises and bring the umbrella when I pray for rain (because that is trust / faith)
14 Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam;
so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out.
Pastor Don spoke about this yesterday as well as retaliation regarding the Sermon on Mount (Mat 5:38). Going into a confrontation with “pre-forgiveness” is key to being able to dropping the matter before a quarrel breaks out.
I will go with fitness. I need to be dedicated to healthy eating, and keep up with exercise.
I need to improve my fitness for sure. My wife and I have changed some eating habits, and that is a start.
Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent, and discerning if they hold their tongue. – That was a girl in my senior high school class’ senior quote. Hmmm
As a teacher, I must conquer OCG (obsessive compulsive grading). I can’t serve the Lord very effectively, if I spend too much time on nights and weekends grading.
Fitness – I need to have a plan in place on a weekly bases. And Stick To It!!!
My category is fitness. I need to get more exercise and eat healthier.
I need to dedicate myself more to our Lord’s instruction. And step out to do His will
Blessings my brothers
I’m going to work on fitness. I’ve let it go since Oct 2019
17 A friend loves at all times,
and a brother is born for a time of adversity.
Oh how we need brothers. I am excited to be starting the Band of Brothers in a week. It will be great to see who wants to be a part of it.
The one area of my life I am going to focus on is controlling my schedule and not letting it control me.
Ditto!
I have determined, in the area of family, to connect with my adult children at least once a month, as a start to rebuilding relationships.
All of them need work but I will choose Faith. Faith comes first and the others will follow.
Even fools are thought wise if they remain silent.
Gets me thinking there are a lot of fools around as everyone has an opinion in everything ( including me often enough). Read this as a family on the way in to church. That was a blessing!
Determining to develop accountability around family by paying attention to needs, discerning where help is warranted and possible, and making time for connection.
Patients
Fitness is my goal.
Yeah I’m gonna have to say fitness and my health kinda odd I’ve been praying about this the last few days then this activity comes up . Think maybe Gods trying to tell me something??
More compassion for my fellow man. More insight on the root causes for undesirable behavior and less on the behavior itself. A spirit of humility mixed in with compassion, only God can give.
I like the part about a brother is born for adversity. In the devotion it talks about having male friends that transcend that relationship of a brother and we often call them brother. Today more than ever, I am thankful and proud to call you guys brother!
The area I chose is family. I tend to take God’s blessings on my family for granted and focus on other issues.
With 15 grandchildren I need to remember all the external influences that surround them and continue to ask God’s guidance and protection.
Family (wife’s continue growing in Christ and her health.)
Relationships with my sisters.
Intentional discipleship of my son. He’s 11 now and I want/need to step up the discipling game now that he is older.
My focus will to (continue to ) PERSIST, in my faith, as starting with faith will cover the other Fs.
This verse jumped out at me:
27 The one who has knowledge uses words with restraint, and whoever has understanding is even-tempered.
I love when it says a joyful heart is good medicine. Proverbs stresses the importance of watching our tongue.
One thing: more disciplined in my sleep schedule
I need to work on quality communication with my wife
Very specific. Nice work!
My need is accountability in the area of fitness. I have a goal and need to improve in this category.
My category is Faith. I need to improve my availability and spend more time in fellowship with my church family
I want to be less angry in my heart. I never thought I would be someone who yelled at my kids, but my daughters have been fighting non stop, and the frustration spills out into harsh words. So I guess that’s too F’s. I need to grow in my Faith so I’m slower to anger, and this will hopefully impact my family in a positive way
Area to improve: Family – to be more intentional about gathering extended family together more frequently now that parents/grandparents have passed.
I want to drastically improve my ability to create a 3-year vision for my faith, family, fitness, finance and friendships.
I need to be more disciplined with my Fitness….better eating and exercising habits
My wife and I need to work on getting on the same page with finances, and then working as a team to increase our generosity.
Let me know if you need any help with that, Sway! I have an easy system that has created financial peace in our marriage since day 1. Something I learned from a financial role model.
I’d be interested in that.
The one who has knowledge uses words with restraint, and whoever has understanding is even-tempered.
There are visible evidences of foolishness and wisdom. Earlier in the passage it states God tries the heart and that is the source of all we are. If I want change it must start in my heart. What I say makes a difference and how I react to things makes a difference; it reveals what is in my heart. When I evaluate my actions using God’s Word it becomes clear which things are foolish and which are wise. Friends will always love me but a brother will challenge me to be better.
My one area I chose to improve is fitness. Now that I have cleared up some of my physical issues I can improve what I am doing to remain healthy. I will ask someone to keep me accountable in a positive manner to succeed in this decision.
Fitness is my area of where I need the most improvement.
Fitness is what I need to Work On. I turn to food when stressed, need to find a healthier option to deal with stress
I have allowed myself, through poor eating choices and lack of exercise, to get out of shape. I feel sluggish. I need to have more discipline in this areas to get back into the shape I want to be in.
One area I am focusing is my health (fitness) by getting back in shape!
Whoever would foster love covers over an offense stood out to me. As well as Proverbs 17:17
“Better to meet a bear robbed of her cubs
than a fool bent on folly.” This is an incredible Analogy, I can only imagine how foolish you have to be, where we’re be safer to meet a mama bear without her cubs. Lord stop me from being foolish!
one area in my life I want to improve?????? cant I decide on 50??? Well, I guess I will stick with the one…
I have been on the keto diet since September and have lost over 30 lbs, but I need to lose a lot more, so I HAVE to start exercising again, in order to get back down to a healthy weight. verse 9 is my recently determined view on life, to foster love for others, rather than rehashing the past, which can destroy friendships. verse 22 is something I am dealing with at my house with my kids, I try to have a cheerful heart, but they have crushed spirits, and we all know misery loves company, so their bad outlook on life is contagious and can turn a good day into a bad day.
Fitness is my one, I pledge to work out 2-3 times a week and run 12 – 5 K s this year.
Cheryl and I retired to Winona to be close to our grandchildren and as a huge bonus – we’ve been blessed with such a large family in Christ here at PV. We have an abundance of Faith, Family and
Friendship. Thank You Lord and All of you brothers.
Finances for sure-Always been a thorn. Besides my accountability partner, I am seeking a professional mentor on the issue.
Say a prayer……….
Verse 6 parents are the pride of their children. Only with a close walk with God as the proverbs up to this point tells us, helps us live a godly, positive life. This alone will help us be the pride of our children.
Proverbs is straight up wisdom. So good to meditate on these truths.
My area to improve is fitness. Going to be intentional and work out 3 x a week.
Need to grow in the Knowledge of God /Jesus/Holy Spirit. Self discipline of my reading, meditating on these, discussion with others. Avoiding distractions.
I need to improve my openness. I often stay silent, which is good sometimes; but staying silent in family and friend relationships does not serve to build into those relationships. It only serves to encourage deception and build pedestals that I can’t live up to.
Definitely Family. Especially grandchildren who are struggling and searching in the wrong areas for contentment. May I influence them in seeking the fulfilled life that only God can bring.
14 Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam;
so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out.
27 The one who has knowledge uses words with restraint,
and whoever has understanding is even-tempered.
This speaks to the accountability I seek. I’m prone to being headstrong with My wife (and she with me!) and I would like to learn to let things go. I don’t want to breach that dam and pray that God will keep this on my heart when I feel myself getting frustrated by something.
One area I have determined to improve on is in the area of finance. Specifically, the value of generosity and tithing. The goal is to move toward 10-10-80 (giving, saving, living) with what God has ultimately provided for me.
The one area I want to improve on is friends. I recently changed churches due to a change in leadership. I had many brothers whom I shared much with in my old congregation . I would like to build similar relationships in my new church.
Family
Unique challenges come with a blended family of adult children when the focus goal is the marriage.
14 Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam; so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out.
Over and over in these devotions I’m reminded to not be so easily offended. God is telling me to calm down and count my blessings instead of infractions against me.
“Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam; so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out.” How true this is and so hard to practice sometimes. Lord, give me the strength to STOP a quarrel BEFORE it starts!
Self-control!
I want to work on Family.
I want to find a brother that will hold me accountable and that I can talk with about everything that I need and want to change
Verse 22 jumps out at me this morning: A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. In an accountability setting that cheerful man can sure help to treat the crushed spirit.
My goal for the five F’s is fitness. I know if I would lean it to like I should it would put more energy in to my faith, family, finances, and friendships. After doing the challenge for 24 days I can’t wait to get up in the morning and dive in to it and I know engaging in fitness would be the same. Like the challenge, it’s simply the commitment to start. Hold me accountable brothers!
To Improve my heath. Lower my intake.
Fitness….I need to improve on my eating habits and get some cardio in my daily routine.
Family. More time with family.
It’s sounds so simple, but why is it so
dang hard!!!???
Be truthful, honest and loving. Honor God by being faithful to his word and living for him.
I need to turn away from lust.
Amen Brother to that!! Hang in there Corey as your reward for staying true will ALWAYS out weigh the excitement of the momentary lust. The greater the struggle and subsequent victory the GREATER the reward.
Gossiping
Need to work on Friendship.
Wisdom and Love, Love everyone and do not fall into the evil snares of this world.
My change falls under the fitness category. I’d like to loose 25lbs. And have a more consistent cardio regimen.
family need to improve
Faith
Fitness.
1 goal of accountability? Seems pretty doable but in reality it’s tough. We all lead busy lives and this appears to be another thing on the plate but it is much more than that. The evil one desires to isolate us, he desires to keep us isolated from all other meaningful male contact. when we are living in spiritual isolation, void of other meaningful relationships with other men, we are easier to break down due to the fact we feel alone. So I encourage you to dig into one another and become the 3a.m. guy (the guy you can call when it all breaks loose no matter what time it is) you all got my number.. Have a blessed day gentlemen.
Verse 6a ” Children’s children are a crown to the aged.” We are going to Iowa this weekend to be with my children and grandchildren. They are my pride and joy.
The thing I want to continue to work on is FITNESS. I want to be active, so I can enjoy playing with my grandchildren.
Proverbs 17 is a little scary. I’m in a cycle of struggle. This chapter speaks much about the fool, and his destructive ways. There isn’t any hope for this man, at least here.
I can’t forget John 3:16. Jesus died for fools like me…
I think Vince is asking how we want to step away from that foolishness.
For me, I’ve been challenged to honestly look at my values and reshape them.