Contributor: Isekhua Evborokhai

DAY 29 – CHAPTER 29 Verse 17
“Discipline your children, and they will give you peace of mind and will make your heart glad.” NLT

Revelation

Discipline a child early enough in life to avoid heartache in the future Application Severally in the book of Proverbs we are admonished to discipline our children Many restrain from discipline and indulge them indiscriminately because they think they love their children too much but Proverbs 13:24 says:

“If you withhold correction and punishment from your children, you demonstrate a lack of true love. So prove your love and be prompt to punish them.” TPT

Proverbs 19:18 TPT says “Don’t be afraid to discipline your children while they’re still young enough to learn. Don’t indulge your children or be swayed by their protests.”

Indulgence is not a mark of love but a bait for destruction

DAY 30– CHAPTER 30 Verse 5
“Every word of God proves true. He is a shield to all who come to him for protection.”  NLT

Revelation

Every word of God is tried, tested and proven true

Application

Psalm 12:6 tells us that The words of the Lord are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times
I will never doubt God’s Words; especially what it says about me

Prayer

Lord Jesus please grant me the grace and strength to continually trust in your unfailing Word

DAY 31–CHAPTER 31 Verses 4-5

“It is not for kings, O Lemuel, to guzzle wine. Rulers should not crave alcohol.”

For if they drink, they may forget the law and not give justice to the oppressed.

Revelation

Respectable people should steer clear of all sorts of intoxicants If you have the ambition to become somebody in this life then you must refrain from certain actions Application There are consequences for all actions we take.

Verse 5 tells us of the consequences.

“they may forget the law and not give justice to the oppressed.”
Although these verses refer to wines and strong drinks, the same applies to things that will impact your judgment, your resolve and your reputation.

Because as long as you remain a nobody no one cares. But as soon as you get out there, ready to, or already making an impact in the world there are those who will go searching for mud to sling at you. And if by your actions either as a youth or past adult life you have by the lack of self-control engaged in anything scandalous, it will come out in the open.

Contributor: Tobi Morakinyo

DAY 23 - CHAPTER 23

Verse: 1-3.

When you sit down to eat with a ruler, consider carefully what is before you; And put a knife to your throat If you are a man given to appetite. Do not desire his delicacies, for they are deceptive food.

Revelation

Not every opportunity should be taken! Some are like weapons specially fashioned to derail us from God’s will.

Application

Daniel and his friends knew by wisdom that the King’s meat was defiling and should not be consumed (Daniel 1:8), otherwise, God’s plans for their lives would be thwarted. By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin (Heb. 11:24-28). However, because our God can as well prepare a table before us (Psalms 23:5), we must continually watch, and pray for the spirit of discernment to know whether it is a table set by God or distraction from the enemy of our soul.

DAY 24 - CHAPTER 24

Verse: 4 and 16

4If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small. 16For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief”.

Revelation:

• Adversity is not necessarily synonymous to mishap, other Bible translation used “under pressure” (Joseph in Gen. 39:7-12), “distress” (David and his army in 1 Sam 30)”, “temptation” (our Lord, Jesus Christ in Mathew 4:1-11), “persecution” (Paul in 2 Corinthians 4:8-10), trial of faith (Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in Daniel 3:8-25) etc.

• Everyone will experience that the day (period) of adversity as many times in his/her lifetime. One thing is guaranteed, our faith in God will be put to test. As often as that happens, God expects us to stand firm.

• However, the strength to stand on such day must be sufficiently garnered ahead of time. God’s expectation from us during such moments, days or periods of adversity is to draw on His strength for victory. He is not expecting us faint on such day(s) because His grace is sufficient for us, and his strength is made perfect in my weakness (2 Cor. 12:9). However, if we faint, it is indication that we need to build strength (capacity) in that area or sub-area of life. We should not remain in our fainting mode, we should rise again – vs 16 says “For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief”.

Application

We must continually build capacity to stand on the day of adversity. The day of adversity is not the day to build but to manifest strength. How then can we build strength ahead?:

• Through God’s word and by His spirit. He is the true source of strength. God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble (Psalms 46:1).

• By trusting and having faith in God because we know that “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it (1 Cor. 10:13), and “Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all” (Psalms 34:19).
• By continually wait on him because “they that wait on the Lord, he shall renew their strength”(Isa. 40:31).
• By rejoicing always because the joy of the lord is my strength (Neh. 8:10); and • By not forsake the assembly of the brethren, and seeking godly counsel and prayers - Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend (Prov. 27:17).

Day 25 – Chapter 25
Verse: 4

Take away the dross [impurities] from the silver, and there comes out [the pure metal for] a vessel for the silversmith [to shape]. Take away the wicked from before the king, And his throne will be established in righteousness.

Revelation

Dross can be likened to sin or any attitude, character and association that could deprive us from reaching our full possibilities in life and Godliness.

Application

The silversmith can make nothing valuable out a dross-filled silver. Remaining intertwined with impurities limits our full potential in God.
Who takes away the dross? God, through the cleansing power of the blood of Jesus and His word (Heb. 9:14, Eph.5:26); and individuals – through wisdom, discipline and self-control. This responsibility can be established from these scripture - “Mortify therefore your members …..”(Col. 3:5), “And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure”(1 John 3:1-3), “No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier” (2 Tim. 2:4-6), “let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us…(Heb 12:1-3)”. Therefore, we must identify, ask God to reveal and be willing disentangle myself from dross limiting us from reaching our fullness in life and Godliness.

Contributor: Isekhua Evborokhai

DAY 15 - CHAPTER 15
Verse: 1
“Respond gently when you are confronted and you’ll defuse the rage of another. Responding with sharp, cutting words will only make it worse. Don’t you know that being angry can ruin the testimony of even the wisest of men?” TPT

Revelation
Ungodly anger is not your friend. It can mess up everything

Application
Ungodly anger always prompts retaliation and seeks revenge
“I will respond with words that will hurt him/her too” it says
Wisdom teaches us here that if we respond gently when we are confronted, we defuse the rage and tension in the air and de-escalate the situation. To do otherwise is to risk ruining your testimony as it can ruin that of even the wisest of men

Prayer: Lord Jesus help me to develop a calm disposition; not to be hasty, harsh or rash

DAY 16 - CHAPTER 16
Verse: 20
“One skilled in business discovers prosperity, but the one who trusts in God is blessed beyond belief!” TPT

Revelation
Skill and Trust in God supersedes skill only!

Application
As Christians we have a huge advantage that we many times, fail to cash out on.
Here we see that being skillful in business leads to prosperity. So, we must be skillful in business. However, to be blessed beyond belief we must not trust in our skills but in God!
Prayer: Lord Jesus please help me not to trust in my abilities and wisdom but in you in all of my endeavours this year."

DAY 17 - CHAPTER 17
Verse 27
Can you bridle your tongue when your heart is under pressure? That’s how you show that you are wise. An understanding heart keeps you cool, calm, and collected, no matter what you’re facing. TPT

Revelation
Being able to control your tongue is the true test for wisdom.

Application
A heart of understanding keeps you unruffled; especially when provoked. Understanding that whenever we respond to provocation in the flesh that human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires will keep us cool, calm and collected
Verse 14 says: It is hard to stop a quarrel once it starts, so don’t let it begin.

Prayer: Grant me the grace to know when indeed is the right time to speak and the right time to be silent

DAY 18 - CHAPTER 18
Verses: 14
“A healthy spirit conquers adversity, but what can you do when the spirit is crushed? MSG

Revelation
Keep your spirit healthy and live an all-round healthy life!

Application
The ultimate aim of the enemy is to crush our spirits. He does this indirectly by targeting our bodies and minds. Just like he targeted Job, he drives through his attack from one adversity to the other, so that people lose their will to survive (at that point, their spirits are crushed)
TPT says: “The will to live sustains you when you're sick, but depression crushes courage and leaves you unable to cope.”

Prayer: Lord Jesus grant me the grace to continually feed and strengthen my spirit by your Word and fellowship; so that my spirit will be able to withstand the pressures of life and attack of the enemy.

Contributor: Joy Okpebri

CHAPTER 9
Verses: 1-6
Lady Wisdom has built and furnished her home; it’s supported by seven hewn timbers.
The banquet meal is ready to be served: lamb roasted, wine poured out, table set with silver and flowers. Having dismissed her serving maids, Lady Wisdom goes to town, stands in a prominent place, and invites everyone within sound of her voice: “Are you confused about life, don’t know what’s going on? Come with me, oh come, have dinner with me! I’ve prepared a wonderful spread—fresh-baked bread, roast lamb, carefully selected wines.
Leave your impoverished confusion and live! Walk up the street to a life with meaning.”

Verses 11-12:
Skilled living gets its start in the Fear-of-God, insight into life from knowing a Holy God.
It’s through me, Lady Wisdom, that your life deepens, and the years of your life ripen.
Live wisely and wisdom will permeate your life; mock life and life will mock you.

Revelation

Wisdom offers value which is prepaid that we did not contribute to; yet; will put us ahead. This value takes its root from the fear and knowledge of God.

Application

Where there is no Fear of God and the wisdom he provides to us through the Holy spirit, life is shallow, sour and a mockery of what it should be. Vs 11-12.
Recommendations.
1. We must fear God. 2. We must know God. 3. Acquire wisdom
Lady wisdom is saying:
“Are you confused about life, don’t know what’s going on? Come with me, oh come, have dinner with me! I’ve prepared a wonderful spread—fresh-baked bread, roast lamb, carefully selected wines. Leave your impoverished confusion and live! Walk up the street to a life with meaning.”
To go for dinner, you must intentionally dress up appropriately. In this case, purpose to study the word of God, dine with him so that you know him and what he has promised (a fresh spread for each day). By doing so, we will leave our impoverished confusion/Mentality/Hopelessness and Live a fulfilled life. Our lives will now have meaning, direction, purpose.

CHAPTER 10
Verses: 4-5 & 8:
4. Sloth makes you poor; diligence brings wealth. 5. Make hay while the sun shines—that’s smart; go fishing during harvest—that’s stupid. 8: A wise heart takes orders; an empty head will come unglued

Revelation

Slothfulness = Poverty; Diligence = Wealth; Right thing at the right time = Smartness
Taking orders/instruction is wise, the opposite is failure/undoing/ungluing progress, increase, promotion etc

Application

These verses tell us that Seeking wisdom requires deliberate actions; Here we see diligence at being important in wealth. Wealth is not riches. it is a total wellbeing of which riches is just a part.
It is already established that the book of proverbs is a book of instruction or manual for life. So, if we follow the instructions therein, then we are harnessing wisdom.
The specific instructions in the verses also give the resultant outcomes.
It is thus recommended that we are deliberate in following the given instructions.
1. Do not be slothful;
2. Be Diligent;
3. Do the right things at the right time - Be SMART
4. Take heed to instruction
These are nuggets for living a successful life.

CHAPTER 11
Verses: 2-7:
2 The stuck-up fall flat on their faces, but down-to-earth people stand firm; 3 The integrity of the honest keeps them on track; the deviousness of crooks brings them to ruin; 4 A thick bankroll is no help when life falls apart, but a principled life can stand up to the worst; 5 Moral character makes for smooth traveling; an evil life is a hard life; 6 Good character is the best insurance; crooks get trapped in their sinful lust.

Revelation

Integrity and good character keep you going on the right part and can withstand anything,

Application

No matter the amount of wisdom you are exposed to, it is of no effect if integrity and good character is missing.
One of the core teachings of wisdom is integrity. Integrity is who you are when no one is watching. In these verses, we learn that if we allow our lives to be shaped by integrity, good character, and principles, then we will have a smooth life journey that can withstand anything.
This is the season of double portion, but we need wisdom to attain it fully. in the verses above, it is recommended that we:
1. Do away with pride and be down to earth
2. Let our lives be shaped by integrity in all our endeavours and keep away from deviousness
3. Live a principled life as money will not help when life falls apart
1. 4 Having good Morals makes for a smooth navigation through life
4. Good character is the best insurance to avoid the traps of sinful lust

Contributor: Isekhua Evborokhai

Verses: 1-7
“These are the proverbs of King Solomon of Israel, David’s son: He wrote them to teach his people how to live—how to act in every circumstance, for he wanted them to be understanding, just, and fair in everything they did. “I want to make the simpleminded wise!” he said. “I want to warn young men about some problems they will face. I want those already wise to become wiser and become leaders by exploring the depths of meaning in these nuggets of truth.” How does a man become wise? The first step is to trust and reverence the Lord! TLB

Revelation
The Purpose of the Book of Proverbs - A Manual for Living

Application
Where purpose is unknown, abuse is inevitable. Proverbs 1:1-7 spells out the purpose of the entire book of proverbs. So, in order to accomplish the purpose of this challenge, it is recommended that we
1. Pay close attention to the book of proverbs this year
2. Read each chapter of the book in different translations that bring the message closer to you. Recommendations (TLB, TPT and MSG)
3. Where possible, listen to the audio version of the book of proverbs when out on exercising, driving or when doing house chores.

DAY 2 - CHAPTER 2
Verses: 7-11
“For the Lord has a hidden storehouse of wisdom made accessible to his godly ones. He becomes your personal bodyguard as you follow his ways, protecting and guarding you as you choose what is right. Then you will discover all that is just, proper, and fair, and be empowered to make the right decisions as you walk into your destiny. When wisdom wins your heart and revelation breaks in, true pleasure enters your soul. If you choose to follow good counsel, divine design will watch over you and understanding will protect you from making poor choices.” TPT

Revelation
Benefits of Wisdom: Success, Divine Protection and Direction

Application
Seeking wisdom requires deliberate actions; even more is the application of it. These verses tell us that godly/righteous people will be given access to the hidden storehouse of God’s wisdom. They also reveal that God becomes our personal bodyguard when we choose what is right and that we will be empowered to make the right decisions as we walk into our destiny. So to avail of these benefits, it is recommended that we
1. Are deliberate is choosing and doing what is right when we are faced with life’s choices even though they may not be popular
2. Lean onto and tap on the grace of God to live a godly life daily

DAY 3 - CHAPTER 3
Verses: 1-4
“My child, if you truly want a long and satisfying life, never forget the things that I’ve taught you. Follow closely every truth that I’ve given you. Then you will have a full, rewarding life. Hold on to loyal love and don’t let go, and be faithful to all that you’ve been taught. Let your life be shaped by integrity, with truth written upon your heart. That’s how you will find favor and understanding with both God and men—you will gain the reputation of living life well. TPT

Revelation
Integrity and Truth, Keys to Divine Favour and understanding with both God and men

Application
No matter the amount of wisdom you are exposed to, it is of no effect if it is not applied for daily living. We must be hearers and doers of the Word and Wisdom of God. One of the core teachings of wisdom is integrity. Integrity is who you are when no one is watching. In these verses, we learn that if we allow our lives to be shaped by integrity, with truth written on our hearts then, we will favor and understanding with both God and men. We were anointed on the first day of the year to obtain “favour for double portion.” To be assured this promise, it is recommended that we
1. Let our lives be shaped by integrity in all of our endeavours
2. Let our speech be guided by truth and put away all falsehood
3. Be hearers and doers; who are faithful to all that we have been taught

DAY 4 - CHAPTER 4
Verses: 20-23
“My son, give attention to my words; Incline your ear to my sayings. Do not let them depart from your eyes; Keep them in the midst of your heart; For they are life to those who find them, And health to all their flesh. Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life. NKJV

Revelation
Your Life Is at Stake: Wisdom will Preserve You!

Application
The core of these verses is verse 23, that admonishes us to keep our heart with all diligence because from it springs the issues of life. Our hearts and minds are priceless possessions the Lord has blessed us with; and they are worth giving everything we have to protect. They are very important to us because the things our hearts and minds focus on, whether positive or negative are the things we tend to attract to our lives. To guard our hearts and minds, it is recommended that we
1. Prevent evil thoughts from dwelling in our hearts
2. Renew Your Mind Daily with the Word of God
3. Align Your Thoughts with God’s Words