Proverbs 18:15

"Intelligent people are always ready to learn.
     Their ears are open for knowledge."

 

How open are you to new ideas? Do you actively seek them out? This proverb calls it a sign of intelligence. So it is. And it leads to success and new spiritual insights, to blessings of all kinds. What new idea have you embraced lately?

Proverbs 18:14

"The human spirit can endure a sick body,
     but who can bear a crushed spirit?"

 

A crushed spirit means true misery. Your spirit is your core. When this is strong, you can endure physical pain and discomfort, because your strength comes from the inner person, not the outer. So guard your spirit from being crushed by others. How? Remind yourself of the truth, and let no one rob you of it. Also, take care never to crush the spirit of another person.

Psalm 75:7, 9–10

"It is God alone who judges;
     he decides who will rise and who will fall.
But as for me, I will always proclaim what God has done;
     I will sing praises to the God of Jacob.
For God says, 'I will break the strength of the wicked,
     but I will increase the power of the godly.'"

 

God is the one who decides who will rise and who will fall. He increases the power of the godly. You may claim this power today. He increases your power as you proclaim what he has done and sing praises to his name (worship). If you need more power, in general or in a particular area, look at what he's doing in your life—and proclaim it! Praise God to yourself and others—and see your power increase. God promotes those who promote him