16:5-9
Those who love God, reverently fear and are worshipfully in awe of God, are a delight to God. But those who love evil, and are full of arrogance, excessive pride, malicious gossip, slander and evil behaviours are an abomination to God. It is important for us to revere and worship God.
Our sin is atoned for by love and faithfulness. First God loved us and had a plan for our salvation. And He was faithful to that plan. This love and faithfulness was demonstrated in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. Throughout time God has required us to respond to His love and faithfulness with our own love and faithfulness. In the days since Jesus’ life of love and faithfulness, we have more reason to respond with love and faithfulness. It is important to remember that it is this that saves us, not legalism.
It is also important to acknowledge that it is our fear of God, the desire to please Him, honour Him, serve Him faithfully, that leads us to wish to avoid evil. And He sends the Holy Spirit to help us.
So our attitude of the heart should be one of mercy, love, truth and fidelity to God and man. When we hold that attitude then sinfulness can find no place in our hearts. And our desire to sin dies.
It is important to remember that God can and does change the attitudes of others around us when it is needed. The Bible is full of stories of people ceasing their hostilities towards others because God changed their attitudes. One example is Esau, who had vowed to kill Jacob, but when he returned welcomed him with joy. When we live in love and faithfulness He will smooth our way when it is needed.
We must also understand that in living our lives, it is better to remain righteous and earn less than become wealthy by stepping away from righteousness and instead choosing injustice.
Ultimately, we need to accept that we make plans in our life, what we want, where we want to be. But those plans are enacted by God. So we need to ask God for direction. That is the wise thing to do. And when He wants us to do something, it will happen.
 

16:1-4
It is common for people to make plans at the start of the New Year. There is great seriousness about what New Year Resolutions you have made. But there is also an understanding that you will not keep them!
In these four verses we read about the ideas and plans that man has. But, we learn, it is God who brings those plans about. We make plans that, to us, make perfect sense. We believe they are plans made out of a pure heart. Out of a genuine desire for good. But we so often fool ourselves. We tell ourselves why we do something, but our true motives are hidden. God can see them. And we can if we ask Him. But we rarely do. We harbour secret desires to take revenge on another, or to gain accolades from others, or to win someone as a friend. And we tell ourselves that we are acting out of pure motives.
This year, take your plans to God. Ask Him to take them and mould them into His plans. Commit to His decision. Trust Him. When you submit to Him, He will change your attitude to bring it more in line with His plans.
Remember, plans that are submitted to God succeed in His way.
God is sovereign in every aspect of life. He works everything out according to His plans. All people, even those who don’t believe in Him, come under His authority. We don’t have to submit to Him in life. But we will face judgement and have to answer for all our decisions and actions at judgement. So think carefully before you decide to not submit to Him.
Before you get too far into the year, submit your plans to God. Commit to following Him. Trust His perfect will. Honour Him with your obedience. Remember God has a plan for your life. You will achieve it if you submit your life to Him and allow Him to guide you.
 

15:18-33
There is a lot in these verses that advises us on Godly living.
First we read that the person who is quick to react will tend to spark conflict. By react I mean replying to someone or something without thinking. The person who takes a breath and responds is the patient person who allows time to think and choose the wisest option. Sometimes conflict cannot be avoided. The person who responds to conflict will be able to manage it better than the one who reacts and escalates it.
In moving through life it is wise to be motivated to remove obstacles from your path or work around them. The wise person achieves despite obstacles in their path or determines to work around them.
The wise person achieves despite obstacles. Be careful when observing others to not be quick to judge. Sometimes people become overwhelmed and don’t know what step to take. That is different from being unwise. If you find yourself in that situation then trust God and seek His advice. He may direct you to seek help from another person. If you see another person struggling, offer them support, not judgement. Remember, the wise take responsibility for their own lives. They seek God first, then understanding, advice and help. Never forget, if you are intent on serving God, He will defend your boundaries. Trust Him. He knows what needs to happen and how to achieve that. Let go of your life and let Him control it.
Accept God’s discipline and helpful advice from others. This is humility. Humility involves putting God ahead of self. That is essential in order for wisdom to grow. The person who rejects discipline hates himself.
Choose to Love God, love yourself, choose humility and seek His wisdom.