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.

G'day friends, it's Pastor Joe here wrapping up our five-week study on words from the book of Proverbs. We've delved into how our speech shapes our lives, and today we focus on Proverbs 31:26, describing the virtuous woman who opens her mouth with skillful and godly wisdom, with kindness on her tongue, offering counsel and instruction.

This Proverbs 31 woman is a powerhouse – productive, forward-thinking, a devoted wife and mother. She exemplifies how words reveal our true character. Ladies, you play a vital role in guiding society with your discerning wisdom. I've learnt the hard way – ignoring my wife Linda's intuition once cost us our first home! Scripture affirms wisdom is for all, men and women alike (1 Corinthians 1:30). Don't let anyone diminish your intelligence; God's truth is available to lifelong learners who prioritise His Word, managing habits and time effectively, just like this remarkable woman.

Over the weeks, we've explored Proverbs verses on words, and you can find the full study at livingsuccess.org. Now, let's tie it off with key scriptures outside Proverbs.

In Matthew 12:33-37, Jesus rebukes the Pharisees for accusing Him of demonic power after healing a blind and mute man. He declares: "The tree is known by its fruit" – and Proverbs 18 reminds us words are that fruit. Out of the heart's abundance, the mouth speaks (v34). Good hearts produce good words; evil ones, evil. We'll give account for every idle word on judgment day – by words we're justified or condemned, not just actions.

Luke 6:45 echoes this: The good person brings forth good from their heart's treasure; the evil, evil. Our mouths reveal our inner world. To change our hearts? Psalm 119:11 – "I have stored up your word in my heart that I might not sin against you." Read, memorise, meditate on Scripture daily; let it transform knowledge into revelation.

Ephesians 4:29-31 urges: Let no unwholesome words come from your mouth, but only those building others up, blessing hearers – and remember, the spirit world listens too. Don't grieve the Holy Spirit with bitterness, wrath, anger, clamour, slander, or malice. Instead, be kind, tender-hearted, forgiving, as Christ forgave us.

James 3:5-8 warns the tongue is like a ship's rudder or a small spark igniting a forest fire – small but capable of great destruction. It contaminates the body, sets life's course ablaze, full of deadly poison. No human can tame it, but God can. We must choose words that honour, putting away bitterness and slander.

Finally, 1 Peter 3:10 (quoting Psalm 34): To enjoy life and see good days, keep your tongue from evil and lips from deceit. Obedient speech invites God's blessings; disobedient, His discipline.

Friends, words matter profoundly – they're the rudder of our lives. Handwrite Proverbs daily, even just 5-10 verses, to embed God's wisdom. I pray this study blesses you. Visit livingsuccess.org, subscribe free, and share. God bless!

G'day friends, it's Pastor Joe here. In this session from our Prevailing Proverbs series, we dove into the profound wisdom of Proverbs chapter 18, focusing on how our words shape our lives. We began with a prayer, thanking God for His Word, Jesus' sacrifice, and asking the Holy Spirit to guide us into truth so we can grow and change.

The core verses were Proverbs 18:20-21 in the Amplified Bible: "A man's moral self shall be filled with the fruit of his mouth, and with the consequence of his words, he must be satisfied, whether good or evil. Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and they who indulge in it shall eat the fruit of it for death or life."

Our words are carriers of either death or life. They govern what we become and how we function. The fruit of our words takes time to grow, so we don't see immediate outcomes, but eventually, we reap what we sow. Instead of complaining about world's problems—like wars or economic policies we can't control—we should declare God's blessings. Worry is like paying interest on a debt you may never owe!

I emphasised guarding our tongues, as they produce death or life constantly. Avoid negative declarations like "I'll catch the flu this winter." Aim to be at least 51% on the life side. This spiritual law must be taught to children early: train them to speak positively, avoiding a glass-half-empty view, especially in our subjective, ideology-driven world. We're in a remarkable era from 2020-2050, where objectivity clashes with subjectiveness.

Never allow words out of your mouth that you don't want in your future—words carry consequences. We live tomorrow what we say today. Drawing from nature, like watching grapevines through seasons or farming principles in Mark 4, fruit grows over time. Blame no one else for what you say.

We looked at Proverbs 21:23: "He who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself from troubles." And Matthew 12:36 warns we'll account for every idle word on judgment day. Memorise these!

Proverbs 25:11 says a word fitly spoken in due season is like apples of gold in settings of silver—priceless, like golden apples in fables. Proverbs 15:23 adds joy in an apt answer at the right moment.

Finally, Proverbs 26:4-5 seems contradictory: Don't answer a fool according to his folly, lest you be like him; yet answer him to expose folly and prevent harm. The ESV Study Bible explains verse 4 as the general rule to avoid endless folly, and verse 5 as the exception when needed.

Friends, our mouths create the fruit of our lives—speak life! Thanks for joining. Check out livingsuccess.org for "So What's Next? Now I'm a Christian," to grow in faith. God bless!

In this session, we delved into Proverbs chapter 12 and 15, exploring how words wield profound power. Starting with Proverbs 12:18, we noted that rash words pierce like a sword, causing deep hurt through mockery, insults, and condemnation. In contrast, the tongue of the wise brings healing, offering comfort, reconciliation, and protection—like a parent's soothing words to a hurt child. Wise individuals live out forgiveness, gratitude, and honour for Jesus, making their speech a force for good.

Moving to Proverbs 15:1-4, a soft answer turns away wrath, calming situations, while grievous words stir up anger and strife. We must choose to be peacemakers, teaching this to the next generation. Verse 2 contrasts the wise, who utter knowledge rightly, with fools who pour out folly—foolishness, stupidity, and arrogance. Folly isn't admirable; instead, aim to speak God's wisdom and divine solutions.

Proverbs packs vast life wisdom into concise verses. Why does this matter? Verse 3 reminds us: the eyes of the Lord are everywhere, watching the evil and the good. God sees our hearts, speech, and actions. We're not perfect—we err, especially in marriage after 35 years!—but forward momentum in honouring Christ, with genuine repentance, keeps us in good spiritual shape. Those unwilling to change face peril.

Verse 4 warns: a gentle tongue is a tree of life, bringing healing, but willful contrariness or perverseness in speech breaks the spirit. Avoid cunning kindness that undermines morale; instead, bring hope, encouragement, and integrity.

Proverbs 15:7 highlights wise lips dispersing sifted knowledge, unlike the foolish. Be careful what you say and whom you listen to—some talk too much, inviting sin. Hold your words wisely.

We touched on Proverbs 15:13 for joy in apt, timely answers, and 16:24: pleasant words are like honeycomb, sweet to the mind and healing to the body. Study honeycomb's structure next time.

Friends, words carry power—use them to build up. Subscribe to my podcast at livingsuccess.org for free resources, including "Now I'm a Christian, So What's Next?"

In this session, we delved into Proverbs chapter 12 and 15, exploring how words wield profound power. Starting with Proverbs 12:18, we noted that rash words pierce like a sword, causing deep hurt through mockery, insults, and condemnation. In contrast, the tongue of the wise brings healing, offering comfort, reconciliation, and protection—like a parent's soothing words to a hurt child. Wise individuals live out forgiveness, gratitude, and honour for Jesus, making their speech a force for good.

Moving to Proverbs 15:1-4, a soft answer turns away wrath, calming situations, while grievous words stir up anger and strife. We must choose to be peacemakers, teaching this to the next generation. Verse 2 contrasts the wise, who utter knowledge rightly, with fools who pour out folly—foolishness, stupidity, and arrogance. Folly isn't admirable; instead, aim to speak God's wisdom and divine solutions.

Proverbs packs vast life wisdom into concise verses. Why does this matter? Verse 3 reminds us: the eyes of the Lord are everywhere, watching the evil and the good. God sees our hearts, speech, and actions. We're not perfect—we err, especially in marriage after 35 years!—but forward momentum in honouring Christ, with genuine repentance, keeps us in good spiritual shape. Those unwilling to change face peril.

Verse 4 warns: a gentle tongue is a tree of life, bringing healing, but willful contrariness or perverseness in speech breaks the spirit. Avoid cunning kindness that undermines morale; instead, bring hope, encouragement, and integrity.

Proverbs 15:7 highlights wise lips dispersing sifted knowledge, unlike the foolish. Be careful what you say and whom you listen to—some talk too much, inviting sin. Hold your words wisely.

We touched on Proverbs 15:13 for joy in apt, timely answers, and 16:24: pleasant words are like honeycomb, sweet to the mind and healing to the body. Study honeycomb's structure next time.

Friends, words carry power—use them to build up. Subscribe to my podcast at livingsuccess.org for free resources, including "Now I'm a Christian, So What's Next?"

G'day friends, it's Pastor Joe here from the Helping You Become podcast. In this episode, we dive back into our study of prevailing Proverbs, emphasising how God's divine wisdom must rule our lives. I start with a prayer for the Holy Spirit to reveal fresh insights to each listener, bringing real change.

I encourage everyone to handwrite the Book of Proverbs chapter by chapter—it's a powerful way to absorb its wisdom and show the Lord you're serious about spiritual growth. Don't type it; write it out by hand. When my girls were young, I paid them $10 per chapter to memorise the Book of James, and they still know it word-for-word in their 20s. It's transformative!

For this study, I've grouped Proverbs into 12 categories, all starting with 'W' (just how they came to me in my notebook): words, wisdom, wealth, warnings, women, worry, wine, work, wastefulness, winter, wake-up calls, and way of life. These aren't exhaustive, but they're a fun way to explore the book's themes on family, business, parenting, and more. The key is to learn Proverbs—ideally memorise it—so its wisdom prevails.

Today, we focus on 'words.' Using the Amplified Bible, Proverbs 4:24 warns: "Put away from you false and dishonest speech, and willful and contrary talk put far from you." False speech contaminates pure communication and leads us astray spiritually. We must guard against it.

Proverbs 5:2 adds: "That you may exercise proper discrimination and discretion. And your lips may guard and keep knowledge and the wise answer to temptation." Don't let words contradict Scripture. Even Jesus was tempted to misuse words for worldly gain (Matthew 4), but He responded with "It is written," prevailing with God's Word.

In Proverbs 10:19-21: "In a multitude of words transgression is not lacking, but he who restrains his lips is prudent. The tongues of those who are upright... are as choice silver... The lips of the [righteous] feed and guide many, but fools die for want of understanding and heart."

Wise, righteous speech is valuable like silver—feeding and guiding others. Foolish talk from wicked hearts is worthless. Don't seek spiritual advice from worldly people; it's like asking your dentist to do your taxes. Life itself is spiritual, covered in the Bible (e.g., "Render unto Caesar...").

Unrighteous words lead to want, shortage, and even death—physical or spiritual. I share about my nephew who died tragically due to foolishness, like getting in a car with a drunk driver. We must discern where to get advice and when to speak or stay silent, as Jesus did (Mark 4:33).

Friends, commit to letting Proverbs' wisdom prevail. We're out of time—head to livingsuccess.org for free resources and subscribe. God bless you as we help you become all you can in Christ.