"As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another." -- Proverbs 27:17

Who makes up your inner circle?  Who are those people that you would go to for help, advice, and guidance?   Who do you hang out with for fun?

The people we allow into our life influences us more than anything else I can think of.  If you surround yourself with people you look up to, then you will reach toward new heights.  If you hang out with people you don't respect, then you will reach for nothing, but instead stagnate or even stoop.  Hang around the people who you wish to be like.  They will hold you accountable and make you better.

Readings:  Ezekiel 29:1-30:26; Hebrews 11:32-12:13; Psalm 112:1-10; Proverbs 27:17

"A quarrelsome wife is like a constant dripping on a rainy day; restraining her is like restraining the wind or grasping oil with the hand." -- Proverbs 27:15-16

Oh my how times have changed!  This proverb clearly displays a cultural dynamic that was in play thousands of years ago.  It was a time when women and children were property of the husband and father.  They had no vote, no say in policy or politics.  But they had power... and they used it in the context of their relationships.

Today, the proverb should not read in a way unique to women.  It should read "quarrelsome people"... because it takes two to tango, and relationships are never one-sided.  So men and women-- husbands and wives-- be kind to each other.  When you disagree, debate around the issue and protect one another's dignity and guard each one's pride.  You'll be stronger for it.

Readings:  Ezekiel 27:1-28:26; Hebrews 11:17-31; Psalm 111:1-10; Proverbs 27:15-16

"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." -- Hebrews 11:1

If we know something, what faith is required of us?  But then I can ask, "what do we really know?"  Couples get married every day knowing that they will be together forever, but the divorce rate is about 50%.  Children are born to parents who know that their child will be raised to be a certain way, and 15 years later scratch their heads wondering what they could have done differently.  We know the sky is blue, but what if that's just our perception?  All I'm saying is that knowing is overrated, and if we were to examine it, we would find that we live by faith most of our waking hours.  We depend on others to come through for us, and we count on our relationships to be stable and longstanding.  So "faith", according to the writer of Hebrews, is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.  When we live our lives with this certainty and this sureness, we live faithfully and fully.  When relationships are wrought with insecurety, they are fragile with little hope for surviving.  But when we live with confidence in our relationships, especially in our relationship with God, we live our lives reinforced by a spiritual strength that can weather almost any storm.  So today, step out and live by faith.

Readings:  Ezekiel 24:1-26:21; Hebrews 11:1-16; Psalm 110:1-7; Proverbs 27:14

"And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds." -- Hebrews 10:24

I consider veterans today and give thanks for their service and sacrifice.  I wonder what it is like to be in battle.  I wonder what it's like to have to charge forward while the enemy is shooting at you.  I don't know what that's like, and I pray I never do.  I am sorry anyone has to know what that's like.

If I were to find myself in battle though, one thing I know is that I wouldn't want to go it alone.  I would want competent people around me who believed they could prevail.  I would want men and women who lifted me up, encouraged me, and challenged me to be better.  I would want people who shared my values and were fighting for the right reasons.

In many ways, I suppose we are in a constant battle.  A battle to survive, and a battle to thrive.  But often, the enemy is unseen.  It has no face or name.  And yet, like Good, this enemy called Evil seems to be present at every turn.  We can't fight this battle alone.  I want God to surround me with people who fight the good fight.  I pray you do too.

Readings:  Ezekiel 23:1-49; Hebrews 10:18-39; Psalm 109:1-31; Proverbs 27:13

"The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and suffer for it." -- Proverbs 27:12

I've heard that insanity can be defined as doing the same thing over again, but expecting different results.  Take a moment to think of the things you do again and again that lead to the same outcome... why do you do it?  Consider the habits that we take on in our lives that are destructive to our physical bodies and pocket books... like smoking... why do we do these?  It's not that we don't know better... the smoker certainly knows that smoking can lead to cancer and death... but smokes anyway.  Knowledge isn't enough.  There has to be will associated for change to occur.  The prudent see the danger and adjust their course to avoid it.  The simple might see the same, but hope for the best.  Do you live your life hoping for change or acting toward it?

Readings:  Ezekiel 21:1-22:31; Hebrews 10:1-17; Psalm 108:1-13; Proverbs 27:12

"Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever." -- Psalm 107:1

In the US, as we approach the Thanksgiving holiday, we are reminded to count our blessings.  I know some who are keeping gratitude journals, marking daily something for which they are thankful.  When we do this, perspective is found and our appreciation for life itself is enhanced.  The psalmist knew this long ago.  When we give thanks, who are we thanking?  It's more than just a nod of appreciation that we offer.  It's a deep and heartfelt expression of gratitude.  Identify 5 things today that you are thankful for and thank God for them, for he is good and his love endures forever.  That right there is something we should all be thankful for.

Readings:  Ezekiel 20:1-49; Hebrews 9:11-28; Psalm 107:1-43; Proverbs 27:11

"Do not forsake your friend and the friend of your father, and do not go to your brother's house when disaster strikes you-- better a neighbor nearby than a brother far away." -- Proverbs 27:10

It's said that "blood is thicker than water"... that when it comes right down to it, family is really all we have in this world.  But in the body of Christ, who is family?  Are we not all brothers and sisters?  And if so, what would the world look like if we lived with our neighbors in a way we lived with family?  We might disagree on things, but we all want what's best for our families.  Is that realistically possible?  I would argue that it is.  What do you think?

Readings:  Ezekiel 18:1-19:14; Hebrews 9:1-10; Psalm 106:32-48; Proverbs 27:10