Bible – Bible Society of Zimbabwe

For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.-2

School can be tough, whether you’re dealing with classes, friends, or figuring yourself out. The Bible offers timeless wisdom that can guide you through these experiences. Here are seven biblical wisdom nuggets, accompanied by scripture, to help you sail smoothly through school.

1. Seek God’s Wisdom First

Proverbs 2:6 (NIV): “For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.”

Before diving into your studies, seek God’s wisdom. Acknowledge that true knowledge comes from Him. When you prioritize God’s wisdom, you gain insights that go beyond textbooks, helping you make better decisions in both academic and personal matters.

2. Be Diligent and Hardworking

Proverbs 13:4 (NIV): “A sluggard’s appetite is never filled, but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied.”

Success in school requires effort and perseverance. Laziness will lead to unfulfilled goals, but diligence brings rewards. Whether it’s studying for exams or working on projects, approach each task with a mindset of diligence, knowing that hard work pays off.

3. Practice Integrity in All Things

Proverbs 10:9 (NIV): “Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out.”

Integrity means being honest and having strong moral principles, even when no one is watching. Cheating on an exam or copying homework may seem like a shortcut, but it ultimately leads to trouble. Uphold integrity in your academic pursuits, and you’ll walk with confidence.

4. Surround Yourself with Wise Friends

Proverbs 13:20 (NIV): “Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.”

The company you keep influences your behavior and choices. Surround yourself with friends who uplift you, encourage your growth, and share your values. Wise friends will challenge you to be better and help you stay on the right path.

5. Trust in God’s Plan

Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV): “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

School can be overwhelming with its uncertainties and pressures. Trust that God has a plan for your life, even when things don’t go as expected. Whether you face disappointments or setbacks, believe that God is guiding you toward a hopeful future.

6. Manage Your Time Wisely

Ephesians 5:15-16 (NIV): “Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.”

Time management is crucial for balancing studies, extracurricular activities, and personal time. Use your time wisely, avoiding procrastination. Prioritize tasks and make the most of every opportunity to learn and grow.

7. Pray About Everything

Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV): “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Prayer is a powerful tool in navigating school life. Whether you’re stressed about an upcoming test or unsure about your future, bring your concerns to God in prayer. Prayer brings peace and clarity, helping you stay focused and calm in all situations.

Conclusion

Applying these biblical wisdom nuggets to your school life can significantly enhance your experience. By seeking God’s wisdom, practicing diligence, maintaining integrity, surrounding yourself with wise friends, trusting in God’s plan, managing your time wisely, and praying about everything, you can navigate the challenges of school with confidence and grace. Remember, God is with you every step of the way, ready to guide and support you.

For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.

Birthdays are a wonderful opportunity to celebrate life, reflect on our journey, and give thanks for the blessings we’ve received. The Bible offers numerous verses that can inspire and uplift us on these special occasions. Here are seven Bible verses that are perfect for celebrating birthdays:

1. Jeremiah 29:11

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

A birthday is a powerful reminder that God has a plan for each of us. As we celebrate another year of life, it’s comforting to know that our future is in His hands, filled with hope and promise.

2. Psalm 139:13-14

“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”

Celebrating a birthday is a perfect time to reflect on the wonder of our creation and the love that God has for us.

3. Proverbs 9:11

“For through wisdom your days will be many, and years will be added to your life.”

Blessings come with living a life guided by wisdom. It encourages us to seek wisdom in our daily lives, promising that doing so will add to our days and enrich our years.

4. James 1:17

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”

Birthdays are a celebration of the gift of life, and this verse reminds us that every good thing we have comes from God. It’s an opportunity to give thanks for the blessings we’ve received over the past year.

5. Psalm 91:11

“For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.”

As we celebrate birthdays, it’s reassuring to remember God’s promise of protection. This verse assures us that God watches over us and sends His angels to guard us in all our endeavors.

6. Lamentations 3:22-23

“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”

Each birthday is a testament to His compassion and a new beginning filled with His mercy and love.

7. Philippians 1:6

“Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

We are encouraged to trust that God is continually working in our lives. Our birthdays are milestones in the journey He has set for us, and He will faithfully complete the good work He has begun in us.

Conclusion

Celebrating birthdays with these Bible verses can bring a deeper sense of meaning and gratitude to the occasion. Reflecting on God’s promises, His love, and His plans for our lives adds a spiritual dimension to our celebrations, reminding us of His presence and purpose in our journey. Happy Birthday!

Jeremiah's Letter to the Jews in Babylonia

1 I wrote a letter to the priests, the prophets, the leaders of the people, and to all the others whom Nebuchadnezzar had taken away as prisoners from Jerusalem to Babylonia. 2 I wrote it after King Jehoiachin, his mother, the palace officials, the leaders of Judah and of Jerusalem, the engravers, and the skilled workers had been taken into exile. 3 I gave the letter to Elasah son of Shaphan and to Gemariah son of Hilkiah, whom King Zedekiah of Judah was sending to King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylonia. It said:

4 “The Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says to all those people whom he allowed Nebuchadnezzar to take away as prisoners from Jerusalem to Babylonia: 5 ‘Build houses and settle down. Plant gardens and eat what you grow in them. 6 Marry and have children. Then let your children get married, so that they also may have children. You must increase in numbers and not decrease. 7 Work for the good of the cities where I have made you go as prisoners. Pray to me on their behalf, because if they are prosperous, you will be prosperous too. 8 I, the Lord, the God of Israel, warn you not to let yourselves be deceived by the prophets who live among you or by any others who claim they can predict the future. Do not pay any attention to their dreams. 9 They are telling you lies in my name. I did not send them. I, the Lord Almighty, have spoken.’

7 Biblical Wisdom Nuggets to Help You In School

Applying these biblical wisdom nuggets to your school life can significantly enhance your experience. By seeking God's wisdom, practicing diligence, maintaining integrity, surrounding yourself with wise friends, trusting in God’s plan, managing your time wisely, and praying about everything, you can navigate the challenges of school with confidence and grace. Remember, God is with you every step of the way, ready to guide and support you.

Celebrating Birthdays: 7 Bible Verses to Reflect On

Celebrating birthdays with these Bible verses can bring a deeper sense of meaning and gratitude to the occasion. Reflecting on God's promises, His love, and His plans for our lives adds a spiritual dimension to our celebrations, reminding us of His presence and purpose in our journey. Happy Birthday!

10 “The Lord says, ‘When Babylonia's seventy years are over, I will show my concern for you and keep my promise to bring you back home. 11

I alone know the plans I have for you, plans to bring you prosperity and not disaster, plans to bring about the future you hope for. 12 Then you will call to me. You will come and pray to me, and I will answer you. 13 You will seek me, and you will find me because you will seek me with all your heart. 14 Yes, I say, you will find me, and I will restore you to your land. I will gather you from every country and from every place to which I have scattered you, and I will bring you back to the land from which I had sent you away into exile. I, the Lord, have spoken.’

15 “You say that the Lord has given you prophets in Babylonia. 16 Listen to what the Lord says about the king who rules the kingdom that David ruled and about the people of this city, that is, your relatives who were not taken away as prisoners with you. 17 The Lord Almighty says, ‘I am bringing war, starvation, and disease on them, and I will make them like figs that are too rotten to be eaten. 18 I will pursue them with war, starvation, and disease, and all the nations of the world will be horrified at what they see. Everywhere I scatter them, people will be shocked and terrified at what has happened to them. People will make fun of them and use their name as a curse. 19 This will happen to them because they did not obey the message that I kept on sending to them through my servants the prophets. They refused to listen. 20 All of you whom I sent into exile in Babylonia, listen to what I, the Lord, say.’

21 “The Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, has spoken about Ahab son of Kolaiah and Zedekiah son of Maaseiah, who are telling you lies in his name. He has said that he will hand them over to the power of King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylonia, who will put them to death before your eyes. 22 When the people who were taken away as prisoners from Jerusalem to Babylonia want to bring a curse on someone, they will say, ‘May the Lord treat you like Zedekiah and Ahab, whom the king of Babylonia roasted alive!’ 23 This will be their fate because they are guilty of terrible sins—they have committed adultery and have told lies in the Lord's name. This was against the Lord's will; he knows what they have done, and he is a witness against them. The Lord has spoken.”

The Letter of Shemaiah

24-25 The Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, gave me a message for Shemaiah of Nehelam, who had sent a letter in his own name to all the people of Jerusalem and to the priest Zephaniah son of Maaseiah and to all the other priests. In this letter Shemaiah wrote to Zephaniah:

26 “The Lord made you a priest in place of Jehoiada, and you are now the chief officer in the Temple. It is your duty to see that every crazy person who pretends to be a prophet is placed in chains with an iron collar around the neck. 27 Why haven't you done this to Jeremiah of Anathoth, who has been speaking as a prophet to the people? 28 He must be stopped because he told the people in Babylonia that they would be prisoners there a long time and should build houses, settle down, plant gardens, and eat what they grow.”

29 Zephaniah read the letter to me, 30 and then the Lord told me 31-32 to send to all the prisoners in Babylon this message about Shemaiah: “I, the Lord, will punish Shemaiah and all of his descendants. I did not send him, but he spoke to you as if he were a prophet, and he made you believe lies. He will have no descendants among you. He will not live to see the good things that I am going to do for my people, because he told them to rebel against me. I, the Lord, have spoken.”

1 Now these are the words of the letter that Jeremiah the prophet sent from Jerusalem unto the residue of the elders which were carried away captives, and to the priests, and to the prophets, and to all the people whom Nebuchadnezzar had carried away captive from Jerusalem to Babylon; 2 (After that Jeconiah the king, and the queen, and the eunuchs, the princes of Judah and Jerusalem, and the carpenters, and the smiths, were departed from Jerusalem;) 3 By the hand of Elasah the son of Shaphan, and Gemariah the son of Hilkiah, (whom Zedekiah king of Judah sent unto Babylon to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon) saying, 4 Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, unto all that are carried away captives, whom I have caused to be carried away from Jerusalem unto Babylon; 5 Build ye houses, and dwell in them; and plant gardens, and eat the fruit of them; 6 Take ye wives, and beget sons and daughters; and take wives for your sons, and give your daughters to husbands, that they may bear sons and daughters; that ye may be increased there, and not diminished. 7 And seek the peace of the city whither I have caused you to be carried away captives, and pray unto the LORD for it: for in the peace thereof shall ye have peace.

8 ¶ For thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Let not your prophets and your diviners, that be in the midst of you, deceive you, neither hearken to your dreams which ye cause to be dreamed. 9 For they prophesy falsely unto you in my name: I have not sent them, saith the LORD.

10 ¶ For thus saith the LORD, That after seventy years be accomplished at Babylon I will visit you, and perform my good word toward you, in causing you to return to this place. 11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. 12 Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. 13 And ye shall seek me, and find me , when ye shall search for me with all your heart. 14 And I will be found of you, saith the LORD: and I will turn away your captivity, and I will gather you from all the nations, and from all the places whither I have driven you, saith the LORD; and I will bring you again into the place whence I caused you to be carried away captive.

15 ¶ Because ye have said, The LORD hath raised us up prophets in Babylon; 16 Know that thus saith the LORD of the king that sitteth upon the throne of David, and of all the people that dwelleth in this city, and of your brethren that are not gone forth with you into captivity; 17 Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Behold, I will send upon them the sword, the famine, and the pestilence, and will make them like vile figs, that cannot be eaten, they are so evil. 18 And I will persecute them with the sword, with the famine, and with the pestilence, and will deliver them to be removed to all the kingdoms of the earth, to be a curse, and an astonishment, and an hissing, and a reproach, among all the nations whither I have driven them: 19 Because they have not hearkened to my words, saith the LORD, which I sent unto them by my servants the prophets, rising up early and sending them; but ye would not hear, saith the LORD.

20 ¶ Hear ye therefore the word of the LORD, all ye of the captivity, whom I have sent from Jerusalem to Babylon: 21 Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, of Ahab the son of Kolaiah, and of Zedekiah the son of Maaseiah, which prophesy a lie unto you in my name; Behold, I will deliver them into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon; and he shall slay them before your eyes; 22 And of them shall be taken up a curse by all the captivity of Judah which are in Babylon, saying, The LORD make thee like Zedekiah and like Ahab, whom the king of Babylon roasted in the fire; 23 Because they have committed villany in Israel, and have committed adultery with their neighbours’ wives, and have spoken lying words in my name, which I have not commanded them; even I know, and am a witness, saith the LORD.

24 ¶ Thus shalt thou also speak to Shemaiah the Nehelamite, saying, 25 Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, saying, Because thou hast sent letters in thy name unto all the people that are at Jerusalem, and to Zephaniah the son of Maaseiah the priest, and to all the priests, saying, 26 The LORD hath made thee priest in the stead of Jehoiada the priest, that ye should be officers in the house of the LORD, for every man that is mad, and maketh himself a prophet, that thou shouldest put him in prison, and in the stocks. 27 Now therefore why hast thou not reproved Jeremiah of Anathoth, which maketh himself a prophet to you? 28 For therefore he sent unto us in Babylon, saying, This captivity is long: build ye houses, and dwell in them; and plant gardens, and eat the fruit of them. 29 And Zephaniah the priest read this letter in the ears of Jeremiah the prophet.

30 ¶ Then came the word of the LORD unto Jeremiah, saying, 31 Send to all them of the captivity, saying, Thus saith the LORD concerning Shemaiah the Nehelamite; Because that Shemaiah hath prophesied unto you, and I sent him not, and he caused you to trust in a lie: 32 Therefore thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will punish Shemaiah the Nehelamite, and his seed: he shall not have a man to dwell among this people; neither shall he behold the good that I will do for my people, saith the LORD; because he hath taught rebellion against the LORD.