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Category: Thoughts on Scripture

  • Daily Walking in Truth

    Daily Walking in Truth

    A Reflection of Proverbs 3

    As a Christian, it is wrong for me to believe there is “my truth” and/or “your truth.” There are not 50 shades of gray to truth. Truth is black and white. There is just simply truth. How do we know what truth is? It can only come from the One who authored life. Therefore, to know real truth, we must be aligned with His Word.

    Spiritual Amnesia

    Right out of the gate, verse 1 hits me as the #1 issue we have when we begin to stray from what is true.“My son, don’t forget my teaching, keep my commands in your heart; for they will add to you many days, years of life and peace.”
    ‭‭(Pro)‬ ‭3‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭CJB‬‬
    https://bible.com/bible/1275/pro.3.1-2.CJB

    When we stray from God…when we stray from communicating with God in prayer…when we stray from studying and understanding Scripture, we drift. We forget. Often times we replace these items with going to church. This can be problematic if the church or the pastor is not aligned with truth. Scripture clearly teaches there are wolves dressed in sheep’s clothing. Our world has forgotten real truth. It doesn’t take long to drift far away from God if we don’t have a daily practice of going to Him directly. I can’t simply point my finger at others I see who call themselves Christians, yet have bent the truth to match “their truth;” I must examine my own heart and behavior.

    Bound Up in Truth

    “Do not let grace and truth leave you — bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart.” (Pro)‬ ‭3‬:‭3‬ ‭CJB‬‬
    https://bible.com/bible/1275/pro.3.3.CJB

    Truth is meant to shape both character and conduct. When truth lives in the heart, it naturally becomes visible in how we live and how we are trusted. It is easy to miss this. It is easy to believe or say to someone “I am an honest person and would never lie.” The problem isn’t necessarily telling a lie, the root problem is living a lie. That is what Satan wants for us.

    I am Not Reliable

    “Trust in Adonai with all your heart; do not rely on your own understanding.” (Pro)‬ ‭3‬:‭5‬ ‭CJB‬‬
    https://bible.com/bible/1275/pro.3.5.CJB

    “Don’t be conceited about your own wisdom; but fear Adonai, and turn from evil.”
    ‭‭(Pro)‬ ‭3‬:‭7‬ ‭CJB‬‬
    https://bible.com/bible/1275/pro.3.7.CJB

    All truth starts and ends with Adonai! We are told to not rely on our own understanding…to not be conceited with our own wisdom. This is the definition of “my truth.” “My truth” will settle around my desires and my place of comfort; which is often far from the truth of Scripture. There could be times His way doesn’t match my desires…so, trust Him anyways. A quick reminder to myself – He is the author of life. I am a byproduct. I should probably listen to the Creator and trust He knows better than me.

    Sleep Peacefully

    “My son, don’t let these slip from your sight; preserve common sense and discretion; they will be life for your being and grace for your neck. Then you will walk your way securely, without hurting your foot. When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.”
    ‭‭(Pro)‬ ‭3‬:‭21‬-‭24‬ ‭CJB‬‬
    https://bible.com/bible/1275/pro.3.21-24.CJB

    Walking in truth brings life…brings safety…brings peace…which all bring sweet sleep. It is hard to experience sweet sleep when living in chaos, stressed, anxious, or knowing you are living a lie.

    Living This Truth

    Lessons from Proverbs 3

    • Stay in communication with God DAILY & OFTEN.
    • Let Scripture take up roots in my heart and mind.
    • Trust His Truth & Way is better than anything I could come up with.
    • Live humbly to His truth and bury mine.
  • Truth That Leads to Life

    Truth That Leads to Life

    A Reflection on Proverbs 1:32–33

    “For the aimless wandering of the thoughtless will kill them, and the smug overconfidence of fools will destroy them; but those who pay attention to me will live securely, untroubled by fear of misfortune.”Proverbs 1:32–33 (CJB)

    A Sobering Contrast

    This passage from Proverbs presents a sharp and sobering contrast – two ways of living, two outcomes. On one side is aimless wandering and smug overconfidence. On the other is a life marked by attention and listening to God. Scripture doesn’t soften the reality here. It tells us plainly that certain ways of thinking and living carry destruction within them. Not because God is harsh, but because truth ignored always produces consequences.

    The Danger of Inattention

    What stands out is that the warning isn’t aimed only at the openly rebellious. It’s directed at the thoughtless and the overconfident. Aimless wandering speaks to a life without intentional submission to God’s wisdom. Smug overconfidence reveals a heart that believes it already knows enough and no longer needs correction. This is a subtle danger. You don’t have to reject God outright to drift away from truth, you simply have to stop paying attention.

    God’s Invitation to Security

    Then comes the promise:

    “But those who pay attention to me will live securely, untroubled by fear of misfortune.”

    This is not a promise of a trouble-free life. Scripture never claims that obedience removes hardship…look at Job! Instead, it promises something deeper: freedom from fear’s control. Biblical security is not found in circumstances, success, or certainty. It is found in listening, humbleness, responsiveness, and trust. God is not silent. He is speaking. The question is whether we are attentive.

    What This Reveals About God

    This passage reveals a God who:

    – Warns because He loves

    – Invites rather than coerces

    – Defines life and security differently than the world does

    His warnings are not meant to shame, but to protect.

    Personal Reflection

    This verse invites honest self-examination:

    – Where am I drifting instead of choosing intentionally?

    – Where might I be confident in myself but inattentive to God?

    – What voices am I listening to more consistently than His?

    – Is there something God has already spoken that I’ve been postponing?

    A hard truth emerges here:

    I don’t have to be rebellious to be foolish, just inattentive.

    Living This Truth

    Paying attention to God is not passive. It requires:

    – Slowing down enough to hear conviction

    – Welcoming correction rather than defending comfort

    – Obeying even when it disrupts routine or preference

    – Measuring security by faithfulness, not outcomes

    Real wisdom shows up not in how much we know, but in how closely we listen.

  • Wisdom and Discipline: The Daily Advantage Most Sales Professionals Overlook

    Wisdom and Discipline: The Daily Advantage Most Sales Professionals Overlook

    “The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Isra’el, are for learning about wisdom and discipline; for understanding words expressing deep insight; for gaining an intelligently disciplined life, doing what is right, just and fair…”
    — Proverbs 1:1–3

    Who doesn’t desire wisdom and discipline?

    Even those who openly admit they lack both would say they wish they had more. Wisdom helps us choose the right direction. Discipline helps us stay on that path when motivation fades.

    Interestingly, the entire book of Proverbs was written for this exact purpose – to guide us toward wisdom and disciplined living in our daily journey.

    And yet, many of us take Scripture for granted.

    Not because we don’t value it—but because:

    • We don’t read consistently
    • We read occasionally
    • We don’t enjoy reading
    • Or we’re always searching for the next book, podcast, or strategy that promises clarity in business, relationships, or faith

    What If You Could Learn Directly From the Wisest King in History?

    Here’s a thought worth sitting with:

    What if you could have a daily conversation with the wealthiest and wisest man who ever lived – and learn how he thought, decided, and lived with discipline?

    You can.

    That man is King Solomon, and his wisdom is recorded for us in the book of Proverbs.

    There are 31 chapters in Proverbs. One simple habit changes everything:

    👉 Read one chapter per day.
    👉 Start at the beginning of each month.
    👉 If the month has fewer than 31 days, double up at the end.

    That’s it.

    Why Solomon’s Wisdom Still Matters—Even in Business

    By modern estimates, King Solomon’s wealth would be staggering in today’s terms—often estimated between $2–3 trillion when accounting for gold, trade, and assets.

    To put that into perspective:

    • Today’s wealthiest individuals are valued in the hundreds of billions
    • Solomon’s resources would dwarf them several times over

    But Solomon’s greatest contribution wasn’t his wealth.

    It was his wisdom, discernment, and discipline—the very traits that:

    • Build sustainable businesses
    • Strengthen relationships
    • Improve decision-making under pressure
    • Prevent costly mistakes

    For loan officers and realtors, this matters deeply.

    Every day you:

    • Manage time
    • Navigate relationships
    • Make financial and ethical decisions
    • Respond to pressure, rejection, and opportunity

    Proverbs speaks directly into all of it.

    Discipline Is Rare – And That’s Why It’s Powerful

    Most sales professionals don’t fail because they lack opportunity.

    They fail because they lack:

    • Consistency
    • Patience
    • Self-control
    • Long-term thinking

    Proverbs trains your mind daily to think differently—to live with intentional discipline rather than emotional reaction.

    A few minutes each morning in Proverbs can:

    • Reframe how you approach your business
    • Sharpen how you lead conversations
    • Strengthen how you steward your time and influence

    Final Thought

    You don’t need another book promising a breakthrough.

    You need a daily habit that builds wisdom over time.

    Start with one chapter.
    Start tomorrow morning.
    And let discipline do what motivation never can.

    Ready to build discipline into your sales process—not just your faith life?
    👉 Schedule a coaching call with Compass Sales Coaching and start leading your business with clarity and consistency.

    Jonathan Sweat, Coach

    Compass Sales Coaching / 540-588-6104 / jsweat@compasssalescoaching.com

  • True North: Following the Map Jesus Gave Us

    True North: Following the Map Jesus Gave Us

    Day 1 – The Map Before the March

    When Jesus opened His mouth on that hillside, He didn’t begin with commands. He began with orientation.

    In The Chosen, Jesus tells His disciples He will start by giving the people a map – and that’s exactly what the Beatitudes are. Before He tells us how to live, He shows us how to aim.

    Every one of us is already following a compass. The question is whether it’s calibrated to comfort, success, fear, or approval – or whether it’s set to True North.

    Jesus defines True North not by what we achieve, but by who we become in the Kingdom of Heaven.

    Reflection:

    What has been setting your direction lately?

    Prayer:

    Jesus, before I move another step, align my heart to You. Reset my compass.