1. Above All Else … Above All Else … Proverbs 4:23-27 Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life. Put away perversity from your mouth; keep corrupt talk far from your lips. Let your eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze directly before you. Make level paths for your feet and take only ways that are firm. Do not swerve to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.

2. Solomon, King of Israel Solomon, King of Israel The Book of Proverbs The Book of Proverbs

3. Above All Else … Above All Else … Proverbs 4:20-22 My son, pay attention to what I say; listen closely to my words. Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; for they are life to those who find them and health to a man's whole body.”

4. Above All Else … Above All Else … Proverbs 4:23-27 Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life..... Put away perversity from your mouth; keep corrupt talk far from your lips...... Let your eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze directly before you..... Make level paths for your feet and take only ways that are firm. Do not swerve to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.

5. Above all else … Guard: Above all else … Guard: What we say What we see What we do

6. Guard Your Words Guard Your Words What you say What you say “ Put away perversity from your mouth; keep corrupt talk far from your lips.” Proverbs 4:24“ Put away perversity from your mouth; keep corrupt talk far from your lips.” Proverbs 4:24 "Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing" Proverbs 12:18"Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing" Proverbs 12:18

7. Guard Your Words Guard Your Words “ Watch the way you talk. Let nothing foul or dirty come out of your mouth. Say only what helps, each word a gift.” Ephesians 4:29“ Watch the way you talk. Let nothing foul or dirty come out of your mouth. Say only what helps, each word a gift.” Ephesians 4:29 “Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” Colossians 4:6“Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” Colossians 4:6

8. Guard Your Words With Integrity “Simply let your Yes be Yes, and your No, No.” Matthew 5:37“Simply let your Yes be Yes, and your No, No.” Matthew 5:37 “The integrity of the upright will guide them.” Proverbs 11:3“The integrity of the upright will guide them.” Proverbs 11:3 “A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.” Proverbs 22:1“A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.” Proverbs 22:1

9. Guard Your Words by Celebrating Life “This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24“This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24 God has given you the gift of life and the promise of eternal life. Now, He wants you to celebrate those gifts with an Enthusiastic Heart.God has given you the gift of life and the promise of eternal life. Now, He wants you to celebrate those gifts with an Enthusiastic Heart. Every day should be a cause for celebration.Every day should be a cause for celebration.

10. Guard Your Words With an Enthusiastic Heart When we are genuinely enthused about our lives and our faith, we will guard our hearts and improve our lives.When we are genuinely enthused about our lives and our faith, we will guard our hearts and improve our lives. “Whatever you do, do it heartily, (with all your heart), as something done for the Lord and not for man.” Colossians 3:23“Whatever you do, do it heartily, (with all your heart), as something done for the Lord and not for man.” Colossians 3:23 “Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.” Romans 12:11“Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.” Romans 12:11

11. Guard Your Words By Encouraging Others “Do not let any unwholesome talk come from your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen” Ephesians 4:29“Do not let any unwholesome talk come from your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen” Ephesians 4:29 Our greatest encouragement comes from the assurance of God’s power and promisesOur greatest encouragement comes from the assurance of God’s power and promises We also find encouragement when we are reminded of our own God given abilities and strengths.We also find encouragement when we are reminded of our own God given abilities and strengths.

12. Guard Your Words With IntegrityWith Integrity By Celebrating LifeBy Celebrating Life With an Enthusiastic HeartWith an Enthusiastic Heart By Encouraging OthersBy Encouraging Others

13. Guard Your Words With IntegrityWith Integrity With an Enthusiastic HeartWith an Enthusiastic Heart By Encouraging OthersBy Encouraging Others

14. Guard Your Eyes Guard Your Eyes What you see What you see ” Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and he will draw near to you.” James 4:7-8” Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and he will draw near to you.” James 4:7-8 ”Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.” Ephesians 6:11-12 ”Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.” Ephesians 6:11-12

15. Guard Your Eyes by Looking Straight Ahead “ Let your eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze directly before you. Proverbs 4:25“ Let your eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze directly before you. Proverbs 4:25 “Since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Hebrews 12:1-2“Since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Hebrews 12:1-2

16. Guard Your Eyes Against A World of Temptations "No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.” 1 Corinthians 10:13"No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.” 1 Corinthians 10:13

17. Guard Your Eyes Against the Media Madness The Media is working around the clock to rearrange our family’s values and priorities.The Media is working around the clock to rearrange our family’s values and priorities. Each day we find countless opportunities to decide whether we will obey God and demonstrate our love for Him or try to please ourselves or the world system.Each day we find countless opportunities to decide whether we will obey God and demonstrate our love for Him or try to please ourselves or the world system. Make God the cornerstone of your home, and watch programming that reinforces the principles set forth in God’s Word.Make God the cornerstone of your home, and watch programming that reinforces the principles set forth in God’s Word.

18. Guard Your Eyes by Closing Them at a Sensible Hour Satan does worst work on exhausted Christians when frayed nerves and tired minds.Satan does worst work on exhausted Christians when frayed nerves and tired minds. “Come to me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Mathew 11:28“Come to me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Mathew 11:28 A well-rested Christian can be a much effective worker for God.A well-rested Christian can be a much effective worker for God. “He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He restores my soul” Psalm 23:2-3“He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He restores my soul” Psalm 23:2-3

19. Guard Your Eyes By Looking Straight AheadBy Looking Straight Ahead Against TemptationsAgainst Temptations Against the MediaAgainst the Media By Closing Them at a Sensible HourBy Closing Them at a Sensible Hour

20. Guard Your Eyes By Looking Straight AheadBy Looking Straight Ahead Against TemptationsAgainst Temptations Against the MediaAgainst the Media

21. Guard Your Steps Guard Your Steps What you do What you do “Make level paths for your feet and take only ways that are firm. Do not swerve to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.” Proverbs 4:26“Make level paths for your feet and take only ways that are firm. Do not swerve to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.” Proverbs 4:26 “Even a child is known by his actions, by whether his conduct is pure and right." Proverbs 20:11“Even a child is known by his actions, by whether his conduct is pure and right." Proverbs 20:11

22. Guard Your Steps Worshiping God God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth." John 4:24God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth." John 4:24 Blessed are those who hear the joyful call to worship, for they will walk in the light of your presence, O LORD. Psalm 89:15Blessed are those who hear the joyful call to worship, for they will walk in the light of your presence, O LORD. Psalm 89:15

23. Guard Your Steps Serving Your Family “Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve,... as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD." Joshua 24:15“Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve,... as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD." Joshua 24:15

24. Guard Your Steps by Working Diligently Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15 “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men” Colossians 3:23“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men” Colossians 3:23

25. Guard Your Steps by Living Purposefully “To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven.” Ecclesiastes 3:1“To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven.” Ecclesiastes 3:1 You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand. Psalm 16:11You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand. Psalm 16:11 “Whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31“Whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31

26. Guard Your Steps by Giving Generously “A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.” Proverbs 11:25“A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.” Proverbs 11:25 ”Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." Luke 6:38”Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." Luke 6:38 "He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver." 2 Corinthians 9:6-7"He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver." 2 Corinthians 9:6-7

27. Guard Your Steps By Worshipping GodBy Worshipping God By Serving Your FamilyBy Serving Your Family By Working DiligentlyBy Working Diligently By Living PurposefullyBy Living Purposefully By Giving GenerouslyBy Giving Generously

28. Above All Else Guard Your Heart “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life (it effects everything you do).” Proverbs 4:23“Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life (it effects everything you do).” Proverbs 4:23 The “Heart” is your seat of emotion. It often includes your intellect as well as your affections and will. The “Heart” is your seat of emotion. It often includes your intellect as well as your affections and will.

29. Guard Your Heart by Putting God First “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Matthew 6:33“Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Matthew 6:33

30. Guard Your Heart With Mountain- Moving Faith ”Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you." Matthew 17:20”Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you." Matthew 17:20

31. Guard Your Heart With Prayer “Be joyful always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances ; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1Thessalonians 5:15-18“Be joyful always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances ; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1Thessalonians 5:15-18 “Whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” Mark 11:24“Whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” Mark 11:24 God works when we pray!God works when we pray!

32. Guard Your Heart With a Positive Attitude “You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” Ephesians 4:22-24“You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” Ephesians 4:22-24 “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things.” Philippians 4:8“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things.” Philippians 4:8

33. Guard Your Heart By Putting God FirstBy Putting God First With FaithWith Faith With PrayerWith Prayer With a Positive AttitudeWith a Positive Attitude

34. Above all else … Above all else … Guard Your Heart What we say What we see What we do

35. Above All Else: Guard your Relationship with Christ What Must I Do? What Must I Do? WHAT WHAT MUST MUST I DO DO to be saved? to be saved?

36. Above All Else: Guard your Relationship with Christ “The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. He then brought them out and asked, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?“ Acts 16:29-30 “The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. He then brought them out and asked, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?“ Acts 16:29-30

37. Above All Else: Guard your Relationship with Christ Acts 16:31 They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved- you and your household." Acts 16:31 They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved- you and your household." 32 Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. 32 Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house.

38. Above All Else: Guard your Relationship with Christ Acts 16:33 At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his family were baptized. Acts 16:33 At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his family were baptized. 34 The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God-he and his whole family. 34 The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God-he and his whole family.

39. Above All Else... What must I Do ?What must I Do ?