Day 26

Day 26 | Declare It

ACTIVITY

Continue:

  • P.A.C.T.—Pray | Ask | Confess | Thank
  • P.A.S.S.—Pray PriorAuthor's Intent | Stop when Convicted | Share

Your Call To Act (C.T.A.) today is:

  • Declare It. Go public in some way, at least with one person, if not many. You have ditched the bad beliefs, determined a goal, described what you would look like in the future. It's time to declare it.
PROVERBS 19
TRANSCRIPT
DEVO
day-26

⚡⚡⚡Share That You Completed Today's Challenge ⚡⚡⚡

111 thoughts on “Day 26

  1. KeatM says:

    Not be so easily offended, instead be truly loving and forgiving as one transformed by the Gospel

  2. Troy says:

    Lead by example with my family by seeking God and pursue a deeper relationship with him

  3. Joe Celenza says:

    I declare to spend more time in Gods Word, and teaching my grandkids His Word more also.

  4. Tony says:

    I want to focus on my family and especially practice patience with discipline as I raise my kids.

  5. Todd says:

    Declaring that my goal is to be a better Christian dad to my boys. They aren’t far from going out on their own and I want to secure that foundational Christian-based relationship.

  6. Sean Swift says:

    v21: Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.
    v22: What is desired in a man is steadfast love, and a poor man is better than a liar.

    My challenge(s) are related to fitness and family.
    1. Stop my habitual 1-2 glasses of wine per evening and focus on a fitness program that will improve me physically, mentally and spiritually.
    2. As my daughter prepares to graduate college support her in the search for a job and career that is fulfilling to her.

    However, as the verses above suggest – these are my plans and I will continue to pray these are the purpose of the Lord.

  7. Allan says:

    “Many plans are in a man’s heart, But the counsel of the Lord will stand.”

    I have so many plans for my business, and above all, I want God’s purpose for my life to be fulfilled. I want to make sure I am not pursuing this plan or that plan if it is outside of God’s will. But I’m at a point that I’m scared to take action because I don’t know if I should. It’s frustrating to be the leader of a family and not hearing the marching orders. My wife hears from God so easily and regularly. I have only ever heard from Him while in intense heartache. It’s not that I’m scared to take a step, it’s that I’m wondering the ground floor trying to find where the staircase begins. And boy, am I searching.

  8. Ken Winegarden says:

    This is the first time in a long time(maybe forever) that I am completely turning from my perpetual sin. Not making excuses or justifying it. I realize the benefits are many. Most importantly freedom & life. The cost of sin is death. Thanks Jesus & all praise & glory go to you.

  9. Eric says:

    I am considering you guys my accountable group. I should be able to rely on you.
    My focus is “F”amily.
    Specifically my wife. I have not done as good at showing my love to and for her as I have in the past. I think I have slipped into taking her for granted.

    • Jason says:

      Good area to focus on and I can say that I am in the same boat and will cheer you on!
      My focus is on spending time in prayer with my family. Something we have slipped on over the years.

      • Eric says:

        Ooo, good one. Praying with Deidre more often could have been #1. Maybe that will be my #2!

  10. David Frankel says:

    Thank you Lord, when amidst all kinds of fears and concerns, we can turn to you and trust you will lead us the right way-your peace comes to be with us in all of this.

  11. Don Neal says:

    I like verse 20, “Listen to advice and accept discipline and in the end you will be counted among the wise.” We need to listen to wise counsel to help us along life’s path.

  12. Michael says:

    I am going to work on my faith in particular the first two disciplines laid out in this study. I am going to ask Joel to be my accountability partner in this area. Once I master this I am thinking about adding another partner for another area. My goal is that they will all be Christian Men that I trust. I want to kill off the anxiety I have about being held accountable.

  13. Joel says:

    (2/16/21) Proverbs 18:22 The Passion Translation
    “When a man finds a wife, he has found a treasure! 
…she is the gift of God to bring him joy and pleasure.”
    Absolutely True! I got mine!

  14. Paul says:

    Verses 2, 8, 29 and 27 stuck a chord with me today. Knowledge is important, listen to others who have advice, obey my commandments, accept discipline and who gets wisdom shows love to others. There are times I think I know it all, but I do not. I need to be reminded that God is there to provide me knowledge and advice. From that comes wisdom and understanding on how I need to share that love to others.

  15. Louis Vanderhart says:

    My concern was that I was to busy to spend time with the Lord in the morning, but I been challenged to get up earlier and spend that time with the Lord. I am excited and determined to do just that, and have a quiet time with the Lord.

  16. Cory B says:

    8 The one who gets wisdom loves life;
    the one who cherishes understanding will soon prosper.

    20 Listen to advice and accept discipline,
    and at the end you will be counted among the wise.

    Accept correction and it will help you to become a wise and better person. The more wisdom you gain, the better and smarter you act which will lead you to happiness.

  17. Thaddeus Kennedy says:

    I will be sharing with my wife to let her know that I will be working on my communication with her and our kids. To help lead them more clearly in all aspects of our relationships.

  18. Gary says:

    What I would like is to learn more about faith as a new believer. I have been closer to a brother at church and just feel great about it.

  19. Brad says:

    Contacted a friend who is going to ask if I can join his fight Club at church. Please pray it works out as I declare my commitment to walking daily

  20. Eddie says:

    I need to form more friendships with other male believers because I have a few, but need more advisors in my life. I need people who are at the same general stage of life as me and people that are farther along in life than me so that I can learn from men that have been there and done that as well as encourage and empathize with others who are in a similar situation as I am.

  21. Mark Lubbock says:

    Fathers can give their sons an inheritance of houses and wealth, but only the Lord can give an understanding wife.
    Proverbs 19:14 NLT
    ‘Nuff said!

  22. Matt says:

    Tonight I’m going to talk to my wife about my fitness goal. The problem with staying in a consistent fitness routine, is that I feel like I’m taking time away from the family. By discussing this with my wife, maybe we can address this concern.

  23. Justin harbers says:

    21 Many are the plans in a person’s heart,
    but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.

  24. Tom Vang says:

    Gonna start by doing simple stretches and exercises morning and evening. Gonna get creative and get some other guys involved. My wife is going to keep me accountable.

  25. Tom Vang says:

    Gonna start off by doing simple stretches and exercises morning and evening. My wife is going to keep me accountable. I’ve gained too much weight over the past 6 years and I want to get back to my natural weight of 165. gonna be a rough go.

  26. Jim says:

    I would like to challenge myself to reach out to more people outside of my normal circle of family and friends. And share my faith, even if it’s very subtle. Start some new relationships.

  27. Nathan says:

    I declared that I want to improve as the spiritual leader to my family to my family today. I am working on asking for prayer when I feel overwhelmed, angry, or frustrated. I am going to ask my kids and my wife to pray for me in the moment when these feelings happen so that I lean on the Lord to help me control my emotions/reactions to life situations. If I am able to do this, I am hoping that my kids and wife will come to me eagerly for me to pray for them and that they will reach out to the Lord for help in all things and in all situations.

  28. Jose says:

    I Declare,
    I needed Jesus in the past!
    I need Jesus in the present!
    I will need Jesus in the future!

  29. Ostertag says:

    My one thing I want to name is related to Finances. (I like Vince’s five Fs concept). I tend to pay way too much attention to my money. I have an E*TRADE account that I consider my play money. I manage it myself (with help from newsletters I read) and I’ve had some really strong years, especially the last four years. As I’ve had more success with stock picks, it has sucked me in more and more. I find myself thinking about it first when I wake up and last when I go to bed and several times a day in between. It has become an obsession. I justify it in my mind that it’s not a bad thing because I’ve used my “extra income” to give extra chunks of money to my church and other ministries. (I’ve also used it for personal wants…family trips, new furniture, etc.) But ultimately it is a huge distraction from other areas of my life that I know I should be focusing on more…my relationship with God, my family, my job. I ask for prayer that I can get rid of this idol and put the more important things first.

  30. Eddie says:

    Verse 20 is something I hope I can depart to my children, listen to advice and ACCEPT discipline, and at the end you will be counted among the wise. they currently have trouble with BOTH of these things, but that is not something I believe I can change FOR them, they have to come to that conclusion on their own. my continued weight loss goal is to be under 225 by September, possibly even under 200, so that I can be my healthiest weight I have ever been in Minnesota.

  31. Marc says:

    Day 26, I choose family, instead of finding fault, seeing the negative things, or focusing on the failures, I want to look at them through the eyes of Jesus. I will look for the good, encourage and build them up. The result should not just be in the family category, but it should help in the other 4 “F’s” category’s as well.

  32. scott kelly says:

    My accountability partner and I have set a weekly time to meet and we need to be consistent in doing so.

  33. Ted says:

    Thank you Jay.
    You have been so diligent in this challenge and in your sharing of the scripture.
    I know you will be diligent in your physical challenge!
    Thank you for your example!
    I am going to continue to pray and read every day and try to help someone in a positive way at least once per week.
    Blessings my brothers

  34. Chad Husted says:

    Finally had a 1 on 1 with a new friend, 35 years my senior. what he shared with me is pure gold. thankful for the push to make this happen Vince.

  35. Matt K says:

    I have the opportunity this week to go skiing out in CO with some old college buddies who I have not seen in years. One of the guys is a financial advisor. So, I am going to take the time to talk with him about our finances, particularly college funds for the kids. Though he lives in the Chicagoland area, I would be able to meet with him at least annually to go over a game plan.

  36. Roland says:

    I want to grow as a disciple, ambassador for Jesus and the husband Jesus desires me to be.
    Life would become more joyful and rest in-spite of troubles and burdens! [Matt. 11: 30] Jesus is the way, we must remain focus on Jesus.

  37. Will says:

    I too am going to purse a fitness goal. I plan to share with my wife who will help hold me to it.
    Specifically I need to lower cholesterol, and loose some weight.

  38. Adam Yochum says:

    I’m going to up my spiritual game both as the fire chaplain and as the leader of my house. First by getting in my bible more. Maybe time to figure out a prayer place / war room at home!

    • shane.young says:

      V14 a prudent wife is from the Lord. Amen Solomon. My wife and my God rescued me from the depths of alcoholism. My goal is to become the co-spiritual leader of our family along with my wife.

  39. Nate Hill says:

    I guess I would declare that when temptation comes, my love for the Lord is so strong that I always think how if I follow through, it would hurt Him and others around.

    Early in my walk, the one thing I found is that the tempter would make you forget about those that would be hurt out of the action, and all that mattered is satisfying yourself.

    Now that I have the Holy Spirit and staying in His word, victory comes more easily and the power to say “no, I am not believing the empty promises” is so much easier and I feel His presence so much closer.

    We can do it brothers, Good is with us! To Jesus be praised!

  40. J.T. Fetherolf says:

    Verse 11
    This one hits home hard. God is definitely working on my heart to stop and pause before criticizing my wife when she does something wrong. Doing so never helps anything. Just by biting my tongue and letting it go, it allows me to show her grace and provides her a sense of relieve at the same time. This also allows me to work on seeing her as God does – not for her faults, but rather through the lens of grace.

    For my fitness goal, I will share it with my wife and on our church’s men’s group Facebook page. Hope I have more cheerleaders than critics…

  41. Chuck says:

    I have declared to my brother: “Persist in my Faith!”

    Verses that got my attention:
    8 The one who gets wisdom loves life; the one who cherishes understanding will soon prosper.
    11 A person’s wisdom yields patience; it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense.
    20 Listen to advice and accept discipline, and at the end you will be counted among the wise.

    This verse confuses me (It is my understanding that we are to reach out to and help the poor … is this verse, and a couple of other similar verses, implying that it is our responsibility to not be lazy, and thus, not become poor?)
    7 The poor are shunned by all their relatives—how much more do their friends avoid them!
    Though the poor pursue them with pleading, they are nowhere to be found.

  42. Eric M. says:

    With the passing of Kobe Bryant yesterday I was reminded how it is ultimately up to God as to how many days we have on this earth. It also reminded me of my own mortality and that the MOST important thing in my life should be my relationship to God. Am I ready to die if today is the day? Some days I feel like I can answer yes without hesitation. Other days I feel like I don’t deserve God’s love and mercy yet he continues to pour it out on me. So after listening to Vince’s challenge I wanted to publicly say “Lord forgive me when my faith waivers and help strengthen me in my times of doubt” For I always appear on the outside to have it under control but you Lord know that isn’t so. Make me ready to meet you ANYTIME! – How apropos – Proverbs 21 is for me today
    Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.

  43. Mike says:

    20 Listen to advice and accept discipline,
    and at the end you will be counted among the wise.

  44. Dave says:

    20 Listen to advice and accept discipline, and at the end you will be counted among the wise.

    Listening and accepting are the qualities to gain wisdom. The listening is the easiest part, but accepting is the proof is you were truly listening.

    Declare It: Moving forward I am going to eliminate as much sugar as possible from my diet and begin an increasing time on the elliptical machine to improve my fitness level.

  45. Bill Fuess says:

    Wow so much to gleen from this Proverb!! As with many as before and to come the message is clear be wise in all you say and do and it will go well for you !! But also be content with what you have not wanting more because others do !! Live well my friends Thank You Lord for the many blessings

  46. Scott Hal says:

    I need to improve my fitness. As I age I’m starting to see health scores on several markers showing needs improvement. For me it’s my good cholesterol is too low, blood pressure to high, and bmi too high. All of which can be improved with regular exercise. When I started this study I never expected how much it would have grown me and made me more perceptive.

    Family: Wife more attracted to me?, Ensure I’m fit to keep active to enjoy time with the kids and later grandkids
    Fitness: My health markers would get into the “normal zone” Good Cholesterol, Blood Pressure, BMI

  47. Michael says:

    Proverbs 16:32 “Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty”. This will be my verse for at least the first part of 2020, until it takes root and bears fruit. I don’t want to have angry thoughts in my heart that then spill out into hurtful words. I need accountability in this era.

  48. Ian Bonthron says:

    Still love the contrasts in this book! It’s a great reminder of how we’re need to be careful with how we’re live our lives.

  49. Scotty says:

    I will finish strong. I’ve caught up brothers. Nice to see all your comments while catching up.
    Desire without knowledge is not good—
    how much more will hasty feet miss the way! Great wisdom.

  50. Kenneth McClatchey says:

    Prov. 19:20 Listen to advice and accept discipline (correction), and at the end you will be counted among the wise.
    In contrast Prov.19:27 Stop listening to instruction my son and you will stray from the words of knowledge.
    One more – do you want advice on a great return for your investments 🙂 Prov.19:17 Whoever is kind to the poor LENDS TO THE LORD, and He will reward them for what they have done.
    Lord help me to remain focused on your eternal plan and to see those around me the way you see them. This world bombards us with the “troubles of this world” and what we need to do to fix it but You already have done what needed to be done through the birth, life, death and resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ.

  51. Dean Wendler says:

    23a “Fear of the Lord leads to life.” This challenge, ALL IN, has given me a positive outlook to life and a joy in my heart. I am so excited to get up each morning and see what Vince and God have for me. My challenge is to get physically fit. I will exercise for one hour for at least 5 days per week.

  52. Brian says:

    Every time at home when I feel the need to argue my point, when I feel frustrated or agitated, I want to bite my tongue and overlook the offense as in vs 11 today. I want to wisely display patience and rewrite my family’s perception of my personality one opportunity at a time. If I can’t speak calmly with love, I need to step back and wait until I can, or perhaps I need to let some things go entirely.

  53. Nate says:

    Faith – need to get back to reading the word and praying daily. With this challenge I’m on my way.

  54. Chris says:

    I declare I am ditching bad beliefs, determined a goal of a more productive prayer time and I will be more calm and slow to speak in the future.

  55. Wayne D says:

    This project is quite repetitive for me. The same goals keep coming up in every day’s verses!
    11 A person’s wisdom yields patience;
    it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense.
    I’m starting to catch on!

  56. Steve Roarke says:

    Be wise in the way you live, fear the Lord and live for Him.
    I am choosing fitness for the change in my life. By being healthy and taking care of the temple the Lord has given me.

  57. Ryan Wissink says:

    So I was struggling to pick just one item for this, as I know there are several areas that I definitely need to grow in, but one thing kinda rose to the surface just yesterday that I didn’t really realize was as big of an issue as it is in me, and that is humility, especially as it relates to me as a husband. Basically, I said something to Mindy along the lines of, “well you should feel lucky to have me as a husband as I would bet tons of other women would love to have a husband who does as much work as I do to help around the house and serve you guys”… So yeah, clearly I have just a little too high a view of myself… I think part of it does relate to me feeling like, well what do I ever get out of it (essentially trying to turn marriage into a transactional situation where I think, well if I do X to help her and give up this time of mine, etc, then she should do Y for me, and that’s not how it should work and does not demonstrate humility at all. So anyways, long story short, I would say I need to grow in humility and a willingness to serve without expectation or thinking that I am doing so much or giving more than Mindy is and therefore deserve so much more.

  58. Pete says:

    My area is my health. My body belongs to the lord. I need to take better care of if.

  59. Tim says:

    v20 Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom for the future. 21 Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will be established.

    Lord help me to not only “Listen” but “Accept” your instructions, for it is your plan, purpose, and will for me.

    • Ryan Gatzlaff says:

      I need to be more disciplined with my time. I need to go to bed earlier and get up earlier. Crawling back into bed after the alarm goes off in the morning is a habit I’m having hard time breaking. My days are so much better when they start earlier with time to really prepare for the responsibilities of the day.

  60. Kevin says:

    Verse 21 says you can make plans but ultimately God IS in charge. So my goal is to grow spiritually and to show my family a true Christian life. I have been spiritually ill fir many years and my gaol for reading Proverbs is to understand who God is and to learn to live Christ like.

  61. Eric says:

    Vince, I thank God for what He has led you to do. I pray for all the brothers and men doing this 35 Day Challenge. That as we grow stronger in you, your light may shine in the darkest places of this earth. For those who are struggling to make ends meet spiritually and physically,Lord I pray that you may feed us.
    Verse 1 was my stopping point this morning. “Enthusiasm without knowledge is no good; haste makes mistakes”.
    Amen

  62. Troy says:

    FINANCE-Been a single parent for most of my life, trying to figure it all out-Seeking a second individual today who can help with my accountability at a professional level. Another way to be humbled.
    Proverbs 19:8 The one who gets wisdom loves life;
    the one who cherishes understanding will soon prosper.
    A person who seeks wisdom seeks God. We know that wisdom is a gift from God. Truly all Christians should pray to receive wisdom. I see someone who looks for good. A person who understands is not always looking for the dark side of life.

  63. Dennis says:

    In my ministry plan this year I declared that I would lose 50 pounds this year. I have lost 6 and headed in the right direction. It is something that I want my accountability partner to keep me on track!

  64. Michael Swalley says:

    The fear of the Lord leads to life;
    then one rests content, untouched by trouble.
    Contentment is found in the fear of the Lord!

  65. Edward says:

    My goal is to begin getting my finances in order. They are really God’s finances so I MUST get them in order.

  66. Steve Oliver says:

    Starting here…
    I have determined to make more time for extended family, to be a blessing in their lives in some way that show I love and care for them and that God does too. I will intentionally make room by saying no to other things that often monopolize my time.

  67. Brian Menk says:

    21 Many are the plans in a person’s heart,
    but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.

    This is hard to submit to, but it is essential.

  68. Jay Wegiel says:

    I’m first declaring it here. Starting out today at 214lbs my desire is to be under 190lbs no later than this time next year. And then maintain that. Also I want to start with a minimum of 3 days a week 20 min a day of some kind of cardio exercise. Please anyone who reads this feel free to confront me on my progress.

    • Darin Palmer says:

      My goal has changed from a few days ago. I feel God tugging at my heart on this. I need to be leader of the family in regards to Fitness!

  69. Dan says:

    Wise are those who listen to the advice of other believers and stay true to the Word of the Lord.

    The area in which i chose to focus on is fitness, due to recent health issues, but I plan to focus on faith as well. Both of these areas will lead to a healthier life with God and family.

  70. Brian Hays says:

    21 Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.
    I am thankful to have gained an accountability partner to meet with weekly to talk and pray and to help hold each accountable to the goals we set.

  71. Squirrel says:

    I’ve got a few things I could declare to get better and from Vince’s instructions I will name one:
    learn Empathy or at least Sympathy for the sake of Kathryn I need to learn better the capacity to understand what she is experiencing from within her frame of reference. News flash….I’m not great at either.

    • Ostertag says:

      Squirrel, remember EMAW’s “My Marriage Commitment.” Trying every day to understand your wife (or trying to be understanding of her situation, limitations, challenges, etc) is part of providing her care. And ultimately when we do all these things, we give honor/show our love for Jesus. I’m not always good at this stuff either. Good for you that you’ve at least named it now. I will pray for you to take the next step and move toward getting it right more often. You’re probably doing better than you think! Thanks again for putting this study together. It has been good. I’ve fallen behind a couple of times and haven’t posted many comments. But I’ve stuck with it and have enjoyed it. Ostertag

  72. Be says:

    14b a prudent wife is from the Lord. Thank you God for my wife!

    Trusting a trustworthy brother is key to accountability. There are many faith filled men here and in our lives.

  73. Tim says:

    After my quiet time I’m off to the gym, I have to plan the night before and set my alarm earlier to make it happen. Exercise helps me control my temper and attitude.

  74. Dave Benson says:

    Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails. Proverbs 19:21
    Love this verse! I can make all kinds of plans for my five “F”s but if I’m truly submitting to and following the Lord, it will be His purpose that prevails. It makes me ask myself if I’m “all in”. On my fitness it’s obvious that I’m not, so I’m asking the Lord to help me.

    • Matt Bollinger says:

      V 21
      Many are the plans in a persons heart it is the Lords purposes that prevail.
      Oh man do I ever have plans and I am so confident that they are right. 🙂 then the Lord shows his plans and his ways and it is so much better and prove mine to be foolish. Help me submit to you always and early Lord.

  75. Bryce says:

    18 Discipline your children, for in that there is hope;
    do not be a willing party to their death.

    As a young parent, this is invaluable wisdom to me. As hard as it is, and as much as it breaks my heart to discipline my young kids, I have to remind myself that I would be doing them an enormous disservice if I simply looked the other way when they have done wrong.

    The area that l am looking to improve upon is family. I will do this through finding more balance in my life. I will value my time with them when we are all together as well as when I am with them individually.

Comments are closed.