Proverbs 1:2-7
Their purpose is to teach people wisdom and discipline to help them understand the insights of the wise.
3 Their purpose is to teach people to live disciplined and successful lives,
    to help them do what is right, just, and fair.
4 These proverbs will give insight to the simple,
    knowledge and discernment to the young.
5 Let the wise listen to these proverbs and become even wiser.
    Let those with understanding receive guidance
6 by exploring the meaning in these proverbs and parables,
    the words of the wise and their riddles.
7 Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true knowledge,
    but fools despise wisdom and discipline.
 
Commentary:
In the Old Testament you will find the book of proverbs and it is full of useful teaching on how we should live. Just look at the 3rd verse where it says that it will teach us to live disciplined and successful lives.
In verse 6 there is a key to all Bible study. It says “By Exploring the meaning…”
As you read scripture slow down and explore the meaning of what each verse or story is saying so that The Holy Spirit can show you what He wants you to get out of it.
 
Prayer: (Here is an example of praying with key pieces of scripture.)
Father God, give me insight, knowledge and discernment. Help me to become wiser and guide me. – Amen
 
Tip:
What are you going to do for yourself this weekend?
I would love to hear from you. Take a few minutes and email me back to let me know how you are doing.
 
Love, Max

You are a conqueror! You may have had set backs but you are not going to be defeated! 

Romans 8:31 (Msg) With God on our side like this, how can we lose?

He One who died for us—who was raised to life for us!—is in the presence of God at this very moment sticking up for us. Do you think anyone is going to be able to drive a wedge between us and Christ’s love for us? There is no way! Not trouble, not hard times, not hatred, not hunger, not homelessness, not bullying threats, not backstabbing, not even the worst sins listed in Scripture:


None of this fazes us because Jesus loves us. I’m absolutely convinced that nothing—nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow, high or low, thinkable or unthinkable—absolutely nothing can get between us and God’s love because of the way that Jesus our Master has embraced us.


Commentary:

God is on your side. Nothing can separate you from Him. 
During this 40 days of renewal our main goal is for God to Renew Your Strength. 
You are re-connecting with Him through his Word and with Prayer each day. Everything else is a bonus. Eating healthy, exercising, getting good sleep and making time to enjoy the things that fill you up are great. But the main thing is the main thing. Your personal relationship with God. 

Prayer:
Jesus, Thank you for giving your life for me. The past 15 days I have been re-connecting with you more and more. Help me to grow stronger in my understanding of our relationship over the next 25 days. Renew my strength. Spiritually, emotionally and physically. - Amen. 

Tip:
Find a worship song or two that you really get inspired by. Play it over and over this week. Get the truth that is being sung into your spirit. 
God can use things like this to help fuel you and elevate you into a higher walk with Him. 
Here are some that I suggest. 

It's A New Season. 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lDUrIVGak-A


Saved (Bob Dylan wrote this) DD and I flew to Florida to the Brownsville Revival 20 years ago. Around 2.5 million people visited that church. It was incredible. They had service almost every night for 5 years!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CcjuC016c68


Oceans: This is from the Hillsong N.Y.C. Conference. Some of us were there. So powerful. 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3vKSR_4sucY


Spirit Move: Such a powerful song! 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-wvSGOJA_c


Chain Breaker: If this doesn't move you when you watch it then please book a counseling session with me. I will bring my stethoscope to make sure you have a heartbeat. :)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WtV1XtqsW0


I could keep going. There are so many powerful songs. But this should get you started. 

Love, Max

Matthew 5:14-16 “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden.15 No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.

Commentary:
When I help someone, (good deeds) two people are impacted. The person we help is blessed, and we are blessed. 
Your light is meant to shine. 
Psalm 94:19 When doubts filled my mind, your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer. 
God will use you to be a blessing for those who's mind is filled with doubts. Try increasing your focus to renewing others as you renew yourself. 

Acts 20:35  I have been a constant example of how you can help those in need by working hard. You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

Prayer:
Father God, Thank you for giving me Your light. Help me to shine bright so that you will be glorified and people will be blessed. I want to give more than I receive. - Amen

Psalm 23:1-3 The Lord is my shepherd;
    I have all that I need.
2 He lets me rest in green meadows;   He leads me beside peaceful streams.
3 He renews my strength.

Commentary:If you get to the place in your heart and your mind that you agree with verse 1 of Psalm 23 (The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need), you will have reach a level of maturity that most people never attain. In verse 2 & 3 He talks about rest and renewal. With total trust and faith comes rest and renewal. 
​
The second part of Psalm 23:3 says, He guides me along right paths. Trust + Faith = Rest and Renewal and that helps us to hear and do the right things God has planned for us. No trust + no faith = exhaustion and weakness. That leads to hearing and doing the wrong things. 
More on the rest of Pslam 23 another day. This is plenty to meditate on for today. 
​
Prayer:
God help me to have the kind of trust and faith that the psalmist has in Psalm 23. I want to be completely satisfied. Give me rest and renew my strength. - Amen. 

Tip:
Tonight when you get ready to go to sleep, pray for total trust in God. Let go of every worry and put your faith in Him.