August 17, 2024
“Whoever loves pleasure will be a poor man; he who loves wine and oil will not be rich” (Proverbs 21:17 ESV). This proverb states a truth that is usually revealed over time. For the one who loves pleasure and drink may seem happy for a time. But after a while their love of comfort leads
August 11, 2023
“Haughty eyes, a proud heart, and evil actions are all sin” (Proverbs 21:4 NLT). This proverbs speaks to the reality that sin is more than an action, but is preceded by an attitude and heart condition. Jesus addressed this reality in the Sermon on the Mount when he connected the prohibitions of the Decalogue with
August 20, 2022
WATCH YOUR WORDS How many have wished they could take back their words? Yet, once said, they linger on. If only there were a delete button to erase ill chosen words. Instead, the more poorly spoken words tend to linger the longest. Better to keep quiet and stay out of trouble. Begin to fill your
August 9, 2022
GOD’S SPIRITUAL EKG Our self-awareness is limited. And we rarely hold a mirror up to our own attitudes and actions. We tend to judge others harshly, but we always have an excuse for our own shortcomings and sins. In our hypocrisy, we often declare ourselves righteous in our own eyes. Yet the Lord knows us
August 20, 2019
THE PROVERB WE OFTEN REMEMBER AFTER THE FACT How many have wished they could take back their words? Yet, once said, they linger on. If only there were a delete button to erase ill chosen words. Instead, the more poorly spoken thoughts tend to linger the longest. Better to keep quiet and stay out of
August 19, 2019
THE PURSUIT THAT ONLY CHRIST CAN SATISFY The wisdom God gave to Solomon revealed what one must pursue to find life, righteousness and honor. There appear to be two pursuits, yet they are really one. For righteousness and unfailing love are found only in Christ. Many have tried to pursue righteousness by human effort, but
August 17, 2019
WHAT WE LOVE MATTERS The one who loves pleasure and comfort will eventually live in poverty. So says the proverb, and also anyone who has lived for any length of time. For loving comfort the one fails to work and failing to work, comfort cannot be afforded. Yet, might not the proverb be reversed? So,
August 12, 2019
PROSPERITY, POVERTY AND PATIENT PERSEVERANCE This proverb teaches a proposition of success including its corollary, which leads to failure. The proposition is that “good planning and hard work lead to prosperity.” Notice that planning and work are further defined as “good” and “hard.” For there is certainly a thing called “bad” planning and “lazy” work.
August 11, 2019
OUR NEED FOR ONE WHO SHEPHERD’S THE HEART This proverbs speaks to the reality that sin is more than an action, but is preceded by an attitude and heart condition. Jesus addressed this reality in the Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 5) when he connected the outward prohibitions of the Decalogue with the attitudes of
August 9, 2019
HAVE YOU RECEIVED THE RESULTS FROM GOD’S HEART EXAM? We all love our own opinions, especially opinions of ourselves. We tend to judge others harshly, but we always have an excuse for our own shortcomings and sins. In our hypocrisy, we declare ourselves righteous in our own eyes. Yet the Lord knows us better