September 29, 2018
PRESSURE TESTS STRENGTH
Solomon wrote this proverb concerning the real test of strength. It’s what happens to you when you’re under pressure. Pressure exposes the true size of your strength.
Testing under pressure is also God’s method of proving the strength of our faith. As the apostle Peter wrote, “These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold” (1 Pet. 1:7).
How has pressure affected the strength of your faith?
September 30, 2017
Wisdom of God through the pen of Solomon, whose name was from the Hebrew word, “Shalom” (“Peace”).
Two imperatives are given:
1) “Deliver” – Rescue those who are being carried toward death.
2) “Hold back” – Actively persuade those who are stumbling, as if intoxicated, towards their own demise.
Certainly, this instruction might be applied to the gospel ministry, wherein we are to both care for the physical needs of the poor and at the same time, proclaim the good news about Jesus to them. But the application that seems most relevant to our day is that of the young woman with an unplanned pregnancy. How can we “deliver” the unborn child from being carried to death through abortion? The child’s mother and father are being “drawn toward death” by what the culture calls an inconvenience. Yet Scripture calls us to help rescue the innocent victim of this modern insanity. However, the baby isn’t the only victim, for the mother is the one “stumbling to the slaughter.” She has come under a strong delusion that abortion isn’t murder, but only a medical procedure. The truth is, she will be wounded by this choice in body and soul for the rest of her life. She needs someone to lovingly “hold her back” from “stumbling” towards death as her best choice. Wisdom chooses life. Folly draws us toward death.
October 7, 2013
Something we often get backwards in our world today… borrowing to build and furnish our house, before we’ve established our income. Proverbs instructs us in wisdom and wisdom says, build up your business first, then build your house. This might also apply to church planting. First minister to your community, rent space, meet in homes, disciple new believers… then look for a home. It may take 19 years, but it’ll be worth it!
October 3, 2013
Are you worried about increasing wickedness in the world? Do you envy the prosperity of the godless? Worry and envy won’t help! Entrust these things to God who holds the future. Then, live in such a way that the light of Christ within you shines in this darkness.
September 25, 2013
A home is not built with wood, brick and nails alone, but by wisdom, understanding and knowledge. Its furnishings may be fashionable, but your home won’t be filled with beautiful riches without the Author of Wisdom at its center. You may think that a refi of your mortgage or redoing your kitchen will bring happiness to your house, but what you really need is the Lord as your home’s architect.
September 25, 2012
Many in our world today strive and labor to fill their homes with beautiful decor and modern technology. But do they spend any energy on filling them with hospitality, or faith, or prayer, or love? What kind of house are you building?
October 7, 2011
Good instruction for families and church planters too. Do the work first so that you have something to sustain the house. Otherwise, both will fail. For the church planter this is a good reminder to put outreach ahead of buildings. Families, a house does not a home make.
September 25, 2011
Wisdom, understanding and knowledge are the possessions that build a great family. Better than homes, jobs and cars, these attributes are to be highly prized.