February 23 - What Are You Living For?

FEBRUARY 23 - What Are You Living For?3-Year-Bible Reading: Proverbs 11:7–8; Acts 23________________________________________“When the wicked dies, his hope will perish, and the expectation of wealth perishes too. The righteous is delivered from trouble, and the wicked walks into it instead.” — Proverbs 11:7–8“And looking intently at the council, Paul said, ‘Brothers, I have lived my life before God in all good conscience up to this day.’” — Acts 23:1________________________________________Imagine putting your whole life into something—popularity, money, being liked—and then one day realizing it doesn’t last. That’s what Proverbs 11:7 is getting at. If your life is only about chasing stuff that fades, then what happens when it all disappears? But when you live for God, like Paul talks about in Acts 23:1, your life has purpose beyond just the now. Even when things get messy or unfair (and they did for Paul, big time), God’s with you, guiding your steps and even using the hard moments for something bigger.________________________________________THINK ABOUT IT1. What Are You Hoping In? Are your hopes tied to things like likes on social media, getting into a certain school, or looking a certain way? Those aren’t bad things, but if they’re your everything, you’re building on shaky ground.2. Living with a Clear Conscience: Paul could stand in front of people trying to bring him down and say, “I’ve lived with a good conscience.” Could you say the same about how you treat others, how you talk online, or what you do when no one’s watching?3. God Delivers the Righteous: Even though Paul went through some scary and unfair stuff, God was still at work. Proverbs reminds us that God watches over those who follow Him. That doesn’t mean life’s always easy, but it does mean we’re never alone in it.________________________________________BOTTOM LINELiving for God gives your life direction and purpose that lasts—even when everything else feels uncertain or temporary.________________________________________PRAYERHeavenly Father, help me to live for something that matters. Remind me when I’m tempted to chase things that don’t last. Like Paul, I want to live with a clear conscience and stay close to You, even when life is hard. Help me trust You to deliver me and guide me. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.