Let’s Dig Deeper

This week, let’s level our gun barrels at shallowness. Let’s allow the sayings we just read to speak out against our times with forceful relevance. I should warn you ahead of time, this may not be easy. Solomon has taken us into a mine shaft, as it were, to a place of hard work, but he will lead us to a valuable discovery.

Deep Impact

Our image-conscious, hurry-up culture celebrates people with broad appeal and shallow character. Just look at the proliferation of reality shows featuring people who are famous for being famous. They do nothing, contribute nothing, stand for nothing, and accomplish nothing, yet television and tabloids can’t get enough of them. This is nothing new, of course.

Gold in the Making

The LORD directs our steps, so why try to understand everything along the way? (Proverbs 20:24) You and I could name things, specific things we’ve gone through in the last several years, that make no logical sense whatsoever . . . but that’s okay. We can’t figure them out. But let me assure you, God […]

Acquainted with All Our Ways

For the LORD sees clearly what a man does, examining every path he takes. (Proverbs 5:21) In the mystery of God’s will we sometimes come to a place where we cannot explain why things turned out as they did; yet, amazingly, we are still right in the middle of His will. It’s not that you […]

Entrusting Our Souls to God

If the righteous are rewarded here on earth, what will happen to wicked sinners? (Proverbs 11:31) For the time has come for judgment, and it must begin with God’s household. And if judgment begins with us, what terrible fate awaits those who have never obeyed God’s Good News? And also, “If the righteous are barely […]

Hope Beyond Bitterness

Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many. (Hebrews 12:15) If God has called you to be a Job—a rare calling—remember that the Lord is not only full of compassion, He is […]

God’s Sense of Humour

A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength. (Proverbs 17:22) God’s sense of humour has intrigued me for years. What amazes me, however, is the number of people who don’t think He has one. For the life of me, I can’t figure out why they can’t see it. He […]

Guidance

God offers instruction, but then it’s our move. We must accept His instruction and apply it to our lives. Then, and only then, can we expect to cash in on the benefits of His instruction. So you see, application is the essential link between instruction and change.

Think with Discernment, Part Two

Discernment is essential. Undiscerning love spawns and invites more heresy than any of us are ready to believe. One of the tactics of survival when facing “the flaming arrows of the evil one” (Ephesians 6:16) is to make certain we have cinched up the belt of truth rather tightly around ourselves. And what helps us do battle with the enemy also strengthens us in relationships with friends.

Lifelines

I’m writing these words [originally] soon after my birthday. No big deal . . . just another stabbing realization that I’m not getting any younger. I know that because the cake won’t hold all the candles. Even if it could the frosting would melt before I’d be able to blow all of them out. My kind and thoughtful secretary reminded me of another approach I could take.

Tag Archives: Proverbs