December 8, 2024
“The rod and reproof give wisdom, but a child left to himself brings shame to his mother… Discipline your son, and he will give you rest; he will give delight to your heart” (Proverbs 29:15, 17 ESV). In our reading from the book of Proverbs today, Solomon directs our attention to the stewardship of parenting.
December 6, 2024
“A fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds it back.” (Proverbs 29:11 ESV). Have you heard someone make excuses about the way they lose their temper? They blame it on a family trait or a situation, but they don’t own the problem. In the book of Proverbs, the words
December 5, 2024
“Scoffers set a city aflame, but the wise turn away wrath” (Proverbs 29:8 ESV). A timely word from the book of Proverbs for today. For it highlights the difference between the scoffer and the wise. The scoffer is one who mocks, ridicules, or scorns a person or an idea. When they encounter disunity and disagreement
December 4, 2024
“By justice a king builds up the land, but he who exacts gifts tears it down” (Proverbs 29:4 ESV). This proverb of Solomon speaks of two types of kings, one who builds up and one who tears down. The one who builds up is rare. For he leads by “justice.” He leads with discretion and
December 3, 2020
HOW DO YOU RESPOND TO CORRECTION? Are you correctable? Are you humble enough to take correction and criticism without “hardening your neck?” In other words, being “stiff-necked” and unwilling to change. This biblical proverb warns us that those who will not listen to rebuke and make changes, will soon be in so much trouble that
December 5, 2019
ARE YOU AN AGITATOR OR A CALMER? A timely word from the book of Proverbs for today. Is it your goal to “agitate” others with that which has agitated you? Or is it your desire to “calm” others with wisdom, so that the truth of the matter may be revealed? The mocker will incite rioting
December 10, 2017
Listen and think before talking. The book of James, which is sometimes called the “Proverbs of the New Testament,” advises: “Let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God” (James 1:19-20).
Try listening more and talking less today. Who knows what you’ll learn.
December 13, 2016
Don’t be a people pleaser! The one who tries to please everyone, lays a trap for himself. For he can never make everyone happy. What is the alternative? Live to please God. Do not fear man, but trust in God. Live for the applause of the One. And the Lord will keep you in His care.
December 8, 2014
Parenting is a holy stewardship. Our children are a gift from God and He instructs us to “discipline” them. The word “discipline” used here could also be translated “to bind, chasten, correct, instruct, reform, reprove, or teach.” This is a full-time job, which is why many parents struggle. For they themselves are so undisciplined in their personal lives that they find it difficult to hold their children to any standard of behavior. To truly be able to discipline your children, so that you know the blessings of this proverb’s promise, you will need God’s power and wisdom. Submit your own life first to God, then depend on Him for strength to help parent your child.
December 6, 2014
Have you heard someone make excuses about the way they lose their temper? They blame it on a family trait or a situation, but they don’t own the problem. In the book of Proverbs, the words wisdom and foolishness are considered nearly synonymous with righteousness and sin. In this verse, fools (sinners) express uncontrolled anger, while the wise (righteous) keep theirs under control. Is anger sin? No. It is an emotional response to a felt offense. Even God gets angry. Yet, His anger is always under His complete control, whereas, our anger usually is not. Don’t let your anger be an excuse for sin. Believers can put their anger under the Spirit’s control, practicing self-control, which is the fruit of those filled with the Spirit.