The story of Christmas is far more than a historical account or a sentimental holiday tradition. It is a living, breathing source of profound guidance for our daily lives. It teaches us to see the end in the beginning, to nurture our calling, to act with consideration, to eliminate what holds us back, and to awaken to the work God is already doing.

This Christmas season, as you reflect on these lessons, what is the one thing God is asking you to wake up to?

1. The Christmas Story Begins with the Ending in Mind

2. Your Calling is a Sacred Pregnancy

3. Even Good People Can Get It Wrong

4. Your Future is Often Decided by What You Eliminate

5. It's Time to 'Wake Up' to What God is Already DoingConclusion

G'day friends, Pastor Joe here. In this episode of Helping You Become, we dive into Proverbs chapter 4, verses 5-7, emphasising the urgent call to "get wisdom" – to procure, possess, and redeem godly wisdom and understanding. We explore the Hebrew meanings behind "get," urging a focused pursuit of discernment, comprehension, and interpretation. Don't forget or turn away from God's words through laziness, disagreement, or excuses.

I challenge the common notion of us as mere "broken vessels" or simple clay pots, often used to justify inaction or poor behaviour. Instead, scripture calls us to holiness – read 1 Peter 1:12 to 2:5 in the Amplified Bible for a deep dive into developing holy speech and conduct. No excuses! Apply New Testament lenses to Jeremiah 18-19 and Romans 4-6, where impurities are dealt with through Christ's righteousness.

Drawing from 2 Timothy 2:19-22, we see God's firm foundation: depart from iniquity, cleanse ourselves from dishonour, and become vessels of gold and silver – honourable, holy, and useful for the Master's work. Flee youthful passions; pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace.

Don't forsake wisdom; she will defend, protect, and guard you. Wisdom is the principal thing – first in place, time, order, and rank. It's our life's pathway, building momentum and direction. Seek God-ideas over good ideas; He'll fund the former!

Imagine if parents instilled this pursuit from age three, making wisdom integral to who we are. Join me next week for more on activating God's wisdom. Check livingsuccess.org for free resources. God bless!

G'day, friends. In this message on Prevailing Proverbs, we dive into the second 'W': wisdom. I've pondered God's wisdom for decades—it's profound yet simple, like applying His Word to life. God grants us access to His divine wisdom through Christ to underwrite our born-again lives amid sin and evil loosed on earth. Just as God is love (1 John 4:8), wisdom is integral to His being; He has infinite wisdom, and Jesus embodies it (Proverbs personifies wisdom as feminine, yet we can grow in it).

Drawing from 1 Corinthians 1:30 (Amplified), Christ is our wisdom, righteousness (right standing with God), sanctification (purity and holiness), and redemption (ransom from sin's penalty). These six life-changing gifts include:

1. New life in Christ with boundless opportunities.
2. Wisdom for wise decisions—short, medium, and long-term.
3. Salvation: reintroducing choice, so none need face eternal separation (fools reject God, per Proverbs).
4. Righteousness: upright relationship with a holy God (2 Corinthians 5:17—all things new).
5. Consecration: overcoming fleshly sins and temptations (God provides escape, 1 Corinthians 10:13).
6. Redemption: freed from captivity due to Adam's sin, with debts paid.

I urge committing this verse to memory—it transforms deeply. As believers, applying God's wisdom can thwart sin's effects, restoring creation's goodness. We're far more powerful through Christ's resurrection than sin's fall in Adam.

Focusing on Proverbs 4:5-11 (Amplified): "Get skillful and godly wisdom... Do not forget... Forsake not wisdom, and she will keep, defend, and protect you." Wisdom is the principal thing—prize it, and it exalts you. The Hebrew 'get' implies procuring, buying, redeeming it as a life focus. Meditate on God's Word day and night for success (Joshua 1:8). Lifting Jesus draws all (John 12:32).

As Solomon glimpsed, divine wisdom brings staggering success from God's view. Let's pursue it to live effectively and holy, drawing the unsaved. Parents, pray daily for your kids—watch for that 'third voice' like in Eden.

God bless—check livingsuccess.org for free resources to become all you can in Christ.