Award-winning Novelist and Certified Life Coach, Dr. MaryAnn Diorio, writes fiction for children and adults. Dr. MaryAnn is also a Bible teacher and offers Biblical principles of success for becoming all that God created you to be.

Dr. MaryAnn Diorio

Proverbs 25: 12 
"To one who listens, valid criticism is like a gold earring, or other gold jewelry." 
 
Do you get offended when someone offers you constructive criticism? If so, I urge you to change your perspective. 
 
Constructive criticism is like a piece of gold jewelry, which means it is very valuable. 
 
From now on, listen to constructive criticism. Humble yourself and pay attention because constructive criticism may one day save your life! 
 
For additional resources on living the abundant life, visit my website at maryanndiorio.com.

Proverbs 25: 12
"To one who listens, valid criticism is like a gold earring, or other gold jewelry."

Do you get offended when someone offers you constructive criticism? If so, I urge you to change your perspective.

Constructive criticism is like a piece of gold jewelry, which means it is very valuable.

From now on, listen to constructive criticism. Humble yourself and pay attention because constructive criticism may one day save your life!

For additional resources on living the abundant life, visit my website at maryanndiorio.com.

Episode 135 - Proverbs 25: 12 - 06/25/2020

Proverbs 10: 2 
 What is tainted wealth? Tainted wealth is wealth that is obtained in a wrong way—through dishonest ways. Such wealth will slip through your fingers. 
 
Wealth obtained in an evil way will lead to some form of death.   But obtaining wealth honestly—in short, living right—can save your life from death. 
 
 Which way will you choose to live? I hope you will choose God's way and not the world's.  
 
For additional resources on living the abundant life, visit my website at maryanndiorio.com

Proverbs 10: 2
What is  tainted wealth? Tainted wealth is wealth that is obtained in a wrong way—through dishonest ways.  Such wealth will slip through your fingers.  

Wealth obtained in an evil way  will  lead to some form of death. But obtaining wealth honestly—in short, living right—can save your life from death.

Which way will you choose to live?  I hope you will choose God's way and not the world's.

For additional resources on living the abundant life, visit my website at maryanndiorio.com

Episode 121. Proverbs 10: 2 - 06/10/2020

Proverbs 6: 32: 
"But the man who commits adultery is an utter fool,  for he destroys himself.   " 
 
Are you involved in an adulterous relationship? If so, God calls you an utter fool, and He warns you that you are destroying yourself. 
 
 Adultery is a violation of God's command to be faithful in marriage. The adulterous person is selfish, in that he or she wants only self-gratification and pleasure.  
 
But what about the others in your life who are counting on you? Are you willing to risk their trust in you? For your will lose it forever! 
 
 If you are involved ine adultery, repent now. Ask God to forgive you, and turn from your wicked ways. Be faithful to the spouse whom God has given you. 
 
For additional resources on living the abundant life, visit my website at maryanndiorio.com.

Proverbs 6: 32:
"But the man who commits adultery is an utter fool, for he destroys himself."

Are you involved in an adulterous relationship? If so, God calls you an utter fool, and He warns you that you are destroying yourself.

Adultery is a violation of God's command to be faithful in marriage. The adulterous person is selfish, in that he or she wants only self-gratification and pleasure.

But what about the others in your life who are counting on you?  Are you willing to risk their trust in you?  For your will lose it forever!

If you are involved ine adultery, repent now. Ask God to forgive you, and turn from your wicked ways. Be faithful to the spouse whom God has given you.

For additional resources on living the abundant life, visit my website at maryanndiorio.com.

Episode 117. Proverbs 6: 32 - 06/06/2020

Proverbs 30: 20 
"An adulterous woman consumes a man,  then wipes her mouth and says, 'What’s wrong with that?'"   
 
 Are you involved in an affair? If so, you are headed for big trouble. 
 
You see, a woman willing to commit adultery will destroy a man and, in the process, boast that there's nothing wrong with adultery.  
 
A man will be influenced for good or for evil by the woman with whom he is in intimate relationship. A good woman will never lead a man astray. A wicked woman doesn't care if she does.  
 
For additional resources on living the abundant life, visit my website at maryanndiorio.com.

Proverbs 30: 20
"An adulterous woman consumes a man, then wipes her mouth and says, 'What’s wrong with that?'"

Are you involved in an affair? If so, you are headed for big trouble. 

You see, a woman willing to commit adultery will destroy a man and, in the process, boast that there's nothing wrong with adultery.

A man will be influenced for good or for evil by the woman with whom he is in intimate relationship. A good woman will never lead a man astray. A wicked woman doesn't care if she does.

For additional resources on living the abundant life, visit my website at maryanndiorio.com.

Episode 110. Proverbs 30: 20 - 05/30/2020

Proverbs 26: 21 
"A quarrelsome person starts fights  as easily as hot embers light charcoal or fire lights wood." 
  
There are certain people in this world who are always looking for a fight. Stay away from such people. They will start a quarrel as easily as hot embers ignite charcoal or as easily as fire ignites wood.  
 
Steer clear of such people. Not only will you end up involved in a big fight, but you will eventually become like them. 
 
For additional resources on living the abundant life, visit my website at maryanndiorio.com

Proverbs 26: 21
"A quarrelsome person starts fights as easily as hot embers light charcoal or fire lights wood."

There are certain people in this world who are always looking for a fight. Stay away from such people. They will start a quarrel as easily as hot embers ignite charcoal or as easily as fire ignites wood.

Steer clear of such people. Not only will you end up involved in a big fight, but you will eventually become like them.

For additional resources on living the abundant life, visit my website at maryanndiorio.com

Episode 106. Proverbs 26: 21 - 05/26/2020

Proverbs 25: 18 
"Telling lies about others is as harmful as hitting them with an ax, wounding them with a sword, or shooting them with a sharp arrow." 
 
Telling lies about others ruins their reputation.That is equivalent with injuring them with an ax, a sword, or a sharp arrow. 
 
Would you want someone doing that to you? Would you want someone telling lies about you? Of course not! 
 
Then don't tell lies about others! 
 
For additional resources on living the abundant life, visit my website at maryanndiorio.com.

Proverbs 25: 18 
"Telling lies about others is as harmful as hitting them with an ax, wounding them with a sword, or shooting them with a sharp arrow."

Telling lies about others ruins their reputation.That is equivalent with injuring them with an ax, a sword, or a sharp arrow. 

Would you want someone doing that to you? Would you want someone telling lies about you? Of course not!

Then don't tell lies about others!

For additional resources on living the abundant life, visit my website at maryanndiorio.com.

Episode 105. Proverbs 25: 18 - 05/25/2020

Proverbs 18: 5 
"Showing partiality to the wicked is not good,  nor is depriving the innocent of justice." 
 
 Today we are seeing a lot of double standards being applied in our culture, especially in our government and judicial system. This double standard favors the wicked and is unjust toward the innocent. 
 
 Today's Bible verse teaches that showing partiality to the wicked is not good, nor is depriving the innocent of the justice due to them.  
 
Are you using a double standard in your own life? If so, repent and start treating everyone as you would like to be treated—justly and fairly.  
 
For additional resources on living the abundant life, visit my website at maryanndiorio.com.

Proverbs 18: 5 
"Showing partiality to the wicked is not good, nor is depriving the innocent of justice."

Today we are seeing a lot of double standards being applied in our culture, especially in our government and judicial system. This double standard favors the wicked and is unjust toward the innocent.  

Today's Bible verse teaches that showing partiality to the wicked is not good, nor is depriving the innocent of the justice due to them.

Are you using a double standard in your own life? If so, repent and start treating everyone as you would like to be treated—justly and fairly.

For additional resources on living the abundant life, visit my website at maryanndiorio.com.

Episode 98. Proverbs 18: 5 - 05/18/2020

Proverbs 6: 29 
"So it is with the man who sleeps with another man’s wife.  He who embraces her will not go unpunished." 
 
 " God has some strong words to say about adultery. In this verse he warns us that sleeping with another mans wife will not go unpunished.  
 
You do not want to run into the punishment of God, my friend. Stay clear of adultery, and avoid God's punishment.  
 
For additional resources on living the abundant life, visit my website at maryanndiorio.com.

Proverbs 6: 29 
"So it is with the man who sleeps with another man’s wife. He who embraces her will not go unpunished."

"God has some strong words to say about adultery. In this verse he warns us that sleeping with another mans wife will not go unpunished.

You do not want to run into the punishment of God, my friend.  Stay clear of adultery, and avoid God's punishment.

For additional resources on living the abundant life, visit my website at maryanndiorio.com.

Episode 86. Proverbs 6: 29 - 05/06/2020

Proverbs 30: 33 
"As the beating of cream yields butter and striking the nose causes bleeding,  so stirring up anger causes quarrels.  " 
 
 Today's verse tells us that just as beating cream will make butter, and just as hitting the nose hard will cause bleeding, so will stirring up anger cause quarrels.  
 
Are you causing trouble in a relationship, whether at home or at work? 
 
Remember this: Those who cause trouble will themselves get into trouble.  So strive for peace and harmony. You will be so glad you did.  
 
For additional resources on living the abundant life, visit my website at maryanndiorio.com

Proverbs 30: 33
"As the beating of cream yields butterand striking the nose causes bleeding, so stirring up anger causes quarrels."

Today's verse tells us that just as beating cream will make butter, and just as hitting the nose hard will cause bleeding, so will stirring up anger cause quarrels.

Are you causing trouble in a relationship, whether at home or at work? 

Remember this: Those who cause trouble will themselves get into trouble. So strive for peace and harmony. You will be so glad you did.

For additional resources on living the abundant life, visit my website at maryanndiorio.com

Episode 80. Proverbs 30: 33 - 04/30/2020

Proverbs 29: 7 
"The godly care about the rights of the poor;  the wicked don’t care at all.  " 
 
Today's verse tells us the those who follow Christ truly care about the rights of the poor, but the wicked do not care about the poor at all.  
 
When we truly care about the poor, we don't just give them a fish; we teach them how to fish so that they can begin to take care of themselves.  
 
Are you living in a situation where you are being given a fish but not being taught how to fish? Then realize that those who are pretending to help you are not out to help you but to control you.  
 
For additional resources on living the abundant life, visit my website at maryanndiorio.com.

Proverbs 29: 7 
"The godly care about the rights of the poor; the wicked don’t care at all."

Today's verse tells us the those who follow Christ truly care about the rights of the poor, but the wicked do not care about the poor at all.

When we truly care about the poor, we don't just give them a fish; we teach them how to fish so that they can begin to take care of themselves.

Are you living in a situation where you are being given a fish but not being taught how to fish? Then realize that those who are pretending to help you are not out to help you but to control you.

For additional resources on living the abundant life, visit my website at maryanndiorio.com.

Episode 79. Proverbs 29: 7 - 04/29/2020

Proverbs 26: 27 
"If you set a trap for others, you will get caught in it yourself.  " 
 
Today's verse is a warning not to try set a trap others or else you will get caught in your own trap.  
 
Are you trying to hurt another person by tricking him or setting up a trap for him? If so, beware that your plan will backfire and you will fall into your own trap.  
 
There's an old saying that goes like this: What goes around comes around.   Make sure that what you send around is what you want coming back to you.  
 
For additional resources on living the abundant life in Christ, visit my website at maryanndiorio.com.

Proverbs 26: 27
"If you set a trap for others,you will get caught in it yourself."

Today's verse is a warning not to try set a trap others or else you will get caught in your own trap. 

Are you trying to hurt another person by tricking him or setting up a trap for him? If so, beware that your plan will backfire and you will fall into your own trap.

There's an old saying that goes like this: What goes around comes around. Make sure that what you send around is what you want coming back to you.

For additional resources on living the abundant life in Christ, visit my website at maryanndiorio.com.

Episode 76. Proverbs 26: 27 - 04/26/2020

Proverbs 8: 33 
Today's verse is taken from Proverbs 8: 33: "Listen to instruction and be wise; do not ignore it."  
 
What instruction is this verse referring to? The instruction that is found in God's Word.  
 
When we obey God's word, we are being wise. When we ignore God's Word, we are being foolish.  
 
God's Word is our manual for living. If we don't follow it, we will eventually break. If we do follow it, we will become whole.  
 
For additional resources on leading the abundant life, visit my website at maryanndiorio.com.

Proverbs 8: 33
Today's verse is taken from Proverbs 8: 33: "Listen to instruction and be wise; do not ignore it."

What instruction is this verse referring to? The instruction that is found in God's Word.

When we obey God's word, we are being wise.  When we ignore God's Word, we are being foolish.

God's Word is our manual for living. If we don't follow it, we will eventually break. If we do follow it, we will become whole.

For additional resources on leading the abundant life, visit my website at maryanndiorio.com.

Episode 58. Proverbs 8: 33

Proverbs 5: 22 
"An evil man is held captive by his own sins;  they are ropes that catch and hold him." 
  
  Do you know that sin makes us prisoners? When we sin, it is like being tied up with ropes and held captive by them.  
 
We sin by our own choice, which means we imprison ourselves by our own choice. Now that's a pretty foolish thing to do, isn't it?  
 
If you are a prisoner of your own sin, let Jesus free you today. Repent, and ask Him to forgive you and save you. He will.  
 
For additional resources on living the abundant life, visit my website at maryanndiorio.com.

Proverbs 5: 22 
"An evil man is held captive by his own sins; they are ropes that catch and hold him."

Do you know that sin makes us prisoners? When we sin, it is like being tied up with ropes and held captive by them. 

We sin by our own choice, which means we imprison ourselves by our own choice. Now that's a pretty foolish thing to do, isn't it?

If you are a prisoner of your own sin, let Jesus free you today. Repent, and ask Him to forgive you and save you. He will.

For additional resources on living the abundant life, visit my website at maryanndiorio.com.

Episode 55. Proverbs 5: 22 - 04/05/2020

Proverbs 7: 2 
"Obey my commands and live! Guard my instructions as you guard your own eyes." 
 
This verse teaches us that if we obey God's commandments we will live. To live does not mean merely to exist. It means to lead a rich, full, and satisfying life, a life full of meaning and significance. We are to protect God's instructions in our hearts and protect them as we would protect our very eyes.  
 
For additional resources, visit my website at maryanndiorio.com

Proverbs 7: 2 
"Obey my commands and live!  Guard my instructions as you guard your own eyes."

This verse teaches us that if we obey God's commandments we will live. To live does not mean merely to exist. It means to lead a rich, full, and satisfying life, a life full of meaning and significance. We are to protect God's instructions in our hearts  and protect them as we would protect our very eyes.

For additional resources, visit my website at maryanndiorio.com

Episode 25. Proverbs 7: 2 - 03/07/2020

Proverbs 6: 32 
"A man who commits adultery has no sense; whoever does so destroys himself."  
 
This verse applies to both husbands and wives. Adultery is a serious sin. It destroys not only a marriage and a family but also the very person who commits adultery.  
 
Stay faithful to the spouse you married. In so doing, you will save yourself from destruction. 
 
For additional resources for living the abundant life in Christ, visit my website at www.maryanndiorio.com.

Proverbs 6: 32
"A man who commits adultery has no sense; whoever does so destroys himself."

This verse applies to both husbands and wives. Adultery is a serious sin. It destroys not only a marriage and a family but also the very person who commits adultery. 

Stay faithful to the spouse you married. In so doing, you will save yourself from destruction.

For additional resources for living the abundant life in Christ, visit my website at www.maryanndiorio.com.

Episode 24. Proverbs 6: 32 - 03/06/2020

Proverbs 27: 23 
"Know the state of your flocks, and put your heart into caring for your herds." 
 
This verse doesn't mean that we need to raise sheep and cattle. Flocks and herds represent our earthly assignment. Whatever God has given us to manage for Him while we are on this earth. These include our possessions, our calling--whatever God has given us to manage on this earth. 
 
 If we don't know the state of something, we cannot manage it well. We cannot supervise it or oversee it.  We must be good stewards of everything God has given us. We must manage our earthly assignment well. We must be diligent in fulfilling our calling because one day, when we stand before the Lord, we will have to give Him an account of what we have done with what He has given us.  
 
Are you managing your earthly assignment well? If not, start managing it well today!  
 
For additional resources, visit my website at www.maryanndiorio.com.

Proverbs 27: 23
"Know the state of your flocks, and put your heart into caring for your herds."

This verse doesn't mean that we need to raise sheep and cattle. Flocks and herds represent our earthly assignment. Whatever God has given us to manage for Him while we are on this earth. These include our possessions, our calling--whatever God has given us to manage on this earth. 

If we don't know the state of something, we cannot manage it well. We cannot supervise it or oversee it.We must be good stewards of everything God has given us. We must manage our earthly assignment well. We must be diligent in fulfilling our calling because one day, when we stand before the Lord, we will have to give Him an account of what we have done with what He has given us.

Are you managing your earthly assignment well? If not, start managing it well today!

For additional resources, visit my website at www.maryanndiorio.com.

Episode 17. Proverbs 27:23 - 02/27/2020

Proverbs 19: 23 
"The fear of the LORD leads to life, that one may rest content, without visitation from harm." 
 
What is the fear of the Lord? The fear of the Lord is a balanced perspective of God as both the One Who loves and the One Who judges. It is a deep awe and reverence for God's power both to love us perfectly and to judge us perfectly. If we have been born again, we do not have to fear God's judgment because Jesus took our judgment for us on the Cross. But if we are not born again, we do have to fear God's judgment because we have refused the One Who took our judgment for us; namely, Jesus Christ. When we fear the Lord, we put ourselves on the road to life. On that road, we will be content and safe from real harm. 
 
 For additional resources on living a successful life, visit my website at maryanndiorio.com.

Proverbs 19: 23
"The fear of the LORD leads to life, that one may rest content, without visitation from harm."

What is the fear of the Lord? The fear of the Lord is a balanced perspective of God as both the One Who loves and the One Who judges. It is a deep awe and reverence for God's power both to love us perfectly and to judge us perfectly. If we have been born again, we do not have to fear God's judgment because Jesus took our judgment for us on the Cross. But if we are not born again, we do have to fear God's judgment because we have refused the One Who took our judgment for us; namely, Jesus Christ.When we fear the Lord, we put ourselves on the road to life. On that road, we will be content and safe from real harm.

For additional resources on living a successful life, visit my website at maryanndiorio.com.

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