Two things I ask of you, Lord; do not refuse me before I die: Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’ Or I...
Where there is no revelation, people cast off restraint; but blessed is the one who heeds wisdom’s instruction. Proverbs 29:18 I live my life with a white-hot compelling vision. All of us need that or we drift. Every church and organization needs it...
Let someone else praise you, and not your own mouth; an outsider, and not your own lips. Psalm 27:2 Some animals fluff their fur, or puff themselves up when they are frightened or confronted. People do it too. There are few things as unattractive as...
If you falter in a time of trouble, how small is your strength! Rescue those being led away to death; hold back those staggering toward slaughter. If you say, “But we knew nothing about this,” does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not...
Like a snow-cooled drink at harvest time is a trustworthy messenger to the one who sends him; he refreshes the spirit of his master. Like cold water to a weary soul is good news from a distant land. Proverbs 25:13,25 I love Hawaiian shave ice. The...
Discipline your children, for in that there is hope; do not be a willing party to their death. Proverbs 19:!8 I see lots of young people with huge character flaws. They are self-willed, self-centered, and spoiled. As a result, they feel entitled to...
One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. Proverbs 18:24 There are friends who come through in your moment of need. They are “there for you”, when it matters. Of course...
Whoever mocks the poor shows contempt for their Maker; whoever gloats over disaster will not go unpunished. Proverbs 17:5 How I treat the poor and respond to disasters reveals some important things about my relationship with God. Contempt and...
Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city. Proverbs 16:32 Solomon recognized the power of patience. He said its better to be a patient and self controlled person than a warrior or leader who could attack...
Proverbs 15 has a lot to say about ‘what I say…’ 1 A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. 2 The tongue of the wise adorns knowledge, but the mouth of the fool gushes folly. 4 The soothing tongue is a...
Whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God. Proverbs 14:31 All people are made by God. They have intrinsic value. So whether they possess riches or not, our kindness to every person honors...
Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm. Proverbs 13:20 The Bible says who we spend time with defines us. Walk with the wise, and guess what? You will become wise. Hang out with fools and you will pay for it. Who...
Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but whoever hates correction is stupid. Good people obtain favor from the Lord, but he condemns those who devise wicked schemes. Proverbs 12:1-2 One time I was corrected by a fourth grader. “Mr. Husen...
A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed. People curse the one who hoards grain, but they pray God’s blessing on the one who is willing to sell. Whoever seeks good finds favor, but evil comes to one who searches for...
What the wicked dread will overtake them; what the righteous desire will be granted. Proverbs 10:24 This truth could be tweeted today. Its pithy and haven’t we all felt when things are going well, that ‘the other shoe will drop’...
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. For through wisdom your days will be many, and years will be added to your life. If you are wise, your wisdom will reward you; if you are a mocker, you...
Does not wisdom call out? Does not understanding raise her voice? At the highest point along the way, where the paths meet, she takes her stand; beside the gate leading into the city, at the entrance, she cries aloud. Proverbs 8:1-3 In life there...
Today I fulfilled my vows, and I have food from my fellowship offering at home. So I came out to meet you; I looked for you and have found you! I have covered my bed with colored linens from Egypt. I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes and...
How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest— and poverty will come on you like a thief and scarcity like an armed man. Proverbs 6:9-11...
For the lips of the adulterous woman drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil; but in the end she is bitter as gall, sharp as a double-edged sword. Proverbs 5:3-4 Solomon warned his sons about the wayward woman. It never ends well. So it is...
The path of the righteous is like the morning sun, shining ever brighter till the full light of day. But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know what makes them stumble. Proverbs 4:18-19 The morning sunlight warms everything up...
Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act. Do not say to your neighbor, “Come back tomorrow and I’ll give it to you” — when you already have it with you. Proverbs 3:27-28 Wisdom rewards immediate obedience...
Wisdom will save you from the ways of wicked men, from men whose words are perverse, who have left the straight paths to walk in dark ways, who delight in doing wrong and rejoice in the perverseness of evil, whose paths are crooked and who are...
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction. Whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm. Proverbs 1:1, 33 Solomon wrote down the benefits of wisdom for all people...