Be the Best You Can Be   Scripture Reading: Proverbs 16:31 - 33

“Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained by living a godly life. Better to be patient than powerful; better to have self-control than to conquer a city. We may throw the dice, but the LORD determines how they fall.”  

If we are graced to live long enough, and have the privilege of retaining our head of hair, most of us can remember when we found the first one or two gray ones. Many of us plucked them out or when there were more than nine or ten colored them for a season, two or even three or more. Nothing wrong with that, I’ve always said if the barn needs painting, go ahead and paint it…smile.

However, the gray hair that God is speaking here is not referring to our hair color, or even if we have even a single hair left on our head. For the die (daily - re. the cross), that colors it and makes it truly a crown of rich glory, unattainable by human effort or wisdom comes from our living a godly life. When you and I choose to live our lives according to the will of God, and that in the spirit that learns from our years of experience that is willing to die (not dye) daily, we will know great gain in this life, and in the life to come more than we can even imagine or think!

In a world of power brokers, where people are often planning, plotting – even kicking and screaming, climbing over whatever or whoever they need to in order to in their minds get to the top, God values patience much more than an earthly crown of riches and honor. In a day and age when people will fight against others, often times even behind their backs to win their wars to build their earthly thrones, God loves it when as followers of Jesus Christ we exercise self-control.

When men or women for that matter scheme, plot and roll the dice in whatever way they can gambling for their lucky sevens to come in, it is our God who in the end will determine where and how the chips fall and exactly what they add up to….or not. So my sister and brother once again today determine in your heart and life as best as you know how to, ‘Be the Best You Can Be’, by taking up your cross and following after Jesus. You will have the best life you ever could have had down here, not to mention the countless number of good night sleeps afforded you. And in the eternal reward….heaven awaits you! Rise up again in His love, grace and mercy….keep pressing through.    

Prayer Heavenly Father, I come to You once again this day and confess that I need Your wisdom in order to run the race to win the prize. Forgive me for times when I have put myself first and help me to follow after Your ways in a world that in many ways is going mad. I do ask for a crown of glory and honor over my life that will point to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, in His most holy name I pray.  

Memory Verse: Proverbs 3:9 “______ the _____ with your _______ and with the ______ part of everything you produce.”