Justice is a Joy… to the Godly
“Justice is a joy to the godly, but it terrifies evildoers.” Proverbs 21:15 NLT “Hooray for law and order!” I remember my father exclaiming as we sat in stalled traffic on a highway. We were frustrated by the delay, but sat lawfully waiting for the road to clear. Then some others took to speeding through the […]
Wealth Trap
“Wealth created by a lying tongue is a vanishing mist and a deadly trap.” Proverbs 21:6 NLT Many desire to have wealth, but some will do whatever is necessary to obtain it. The desire to be rich comes with consequences. “But people who long to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many foolish and […]
Make Your Own Luck
“Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty.” Proverbs 21:5 NLT My father used to say that “statistically your odds of winning the lottery were nearly identical if you bought a ticket or if you didn’t.” You could find the winning ticket or buy the winning ticket, both are long […]
Haughty Eyes
“Haughty eyes, a proud heart, and evil actions are all sin.” Proverbs 21:4 NLT The dictionary defines haughty as “arrogantly superior and disdainful.” There is a progression of sin in this verse. It starts with haughty eyes, leads to a proud heart, and then ultimately evil actions. The progression begin by looking at another and having some […]
Community and Counsel
“Plans succeed through good counsel; don’t go to war without wise advice.” Proverbs 20:18 NLT We were designed by our creator to live in community. Godly community is more than potlucks and camping trips, it is also about accountability and counsel. There are occasional times that God may impress upon us a word of knowledge or […]
Mining for Treasure
“Though good advice lies deep within the heart, a person with understanding will draw it out.” Proverbs 20:5 NLT They call it the Treasure Coast for a reason. It is said that off the East Coast of Florida that there are at least a thousand ships that have gone down in those waters. To this day […]
A Question of Relationship
“Wine produces mockers; alcohol leads to brawls. Those led astray by drink cannot be wise.” Proverbs 20:1 NLT There are a few things in Christian circles that spur passionate debate, often without persuasion or conclusion. Some of the things are theological, some are cultural and a few are physical. Alcohol might be one of those things that […]
Lessons Learned
“If you punish a mocker, the simpleminded will learn a lesson; if you correct the wise, they will be all the wiser.” Proverbs 19:25 NLT I came by it honestly as a young adult. My grandfather had it, my mom had it, and I inherited it. Is is as my father named it: “a lead foot.” […]
Disobedience and Disaster
“Keep the commandments and keep your life; despising them leads to death.” Proverbs 19:16 NLT “Keep the commandments and keep your life.” Disobedience can lead to disaster. We all know that disobedience has consequences, and it particularly obvious when we are young. I remember one such incident as a child. I was probably 6 or 7 years old. […]
Giving and Getting
“Many seek favors from a ruler; everyone is the friend of a person who gives gifts!” Proverbs 19:6 NLT Last week we talked about imitation and genuine treasures. Money may be able to gather people around you, but it may draw those who are looking to get “things” rather than a relationship. This week’s Proverb is related […]
