A king needed to appoint a new minister for the highest office of his kingdom. For this purpose, he organized a special contest on lying: who could utter the biggest lie. All his ministers applied, and each one came and spoke their biggest lie. But the king was not satisfied; their lies seemed lame. The … Continue reading –>
Read Proverbs 18:2. Why don’t fools need time to form their opinions? Fools are so sure of themselves and so eager to express their own opinions that they are not interested in learning from others. Their closed minds go along with their open mouths. This is a deadly combination. How careful we need to be … Continue reading –>
Read Proverbs 18:1-24. Though different themes are presented here, focus on what it has to say about our words. What important concepts are presented here regarding what we do or do not say? We are again confronted with the reality and power of words; in this case we see how fools use their mouths to … Continue reading –>
True love is not blind. That we cover someone’s mistake through love does not mean that we do not see the sin and do not recognize it as such. Love and justice go together. The Hebrew word for justice, tsedeq, also means love, charity. We cannot have real compassion if we are not just, and … Continue reading –>
Read Proverbs 17:9, Prov. 19:11. What crucial point is being made in these texts? How should we deal with others who fall? When someone messes up, it’s so tempting to spread the story, to tell others. Have you heard about what so-and-so did? Though we might act as if we are appalled by the action, … Continue reading –>
Read for This Week’s Study: Proverbs 17:1-28, 1 Cor 13:5–7, John 8:1–11, Proverbs 18:1-24, Proverbs 19:1-29, Deut. 24:10–22. Memory Text: Better is a dry morsel with quietness, than a house full of feasting with strife (Proverbs 17:1, NKJV). Proverbs again denounces the deception of appearances. We may seem to have everything the world offers — wealth, … Continue reading –>
When Paul and Christie Brown moved into a less than desirable neighborhood in Elkins, West Virginia, they didn’t know that their home would become a magnet for young people. I’ve always been youth focused, says Paul, so when the neighborhood kids wanted to hang out with our kids at the house, we said, OK, but … Continue reading –>
Further Study: From the beginning Satan has portrayed to men the gains to be won by transgression. Thus he seduced angels. Thus he tempted Adam and Eve to sin. And thus he is still leading multitudes away from obedience to God. The path of transgression is made to appear desirable; but the end thereof are … Continue reading –>
We all dream and make plans, and yet things turn out differently, sometimes for the better, sometimes for the worse. The Bible acknowledges the value of human responsibility and freedom. Yet the Bible also affirms God’s control over the course of events (see Prov. 20:24, Prov. 21:31, and Daniel 2:1-49, Dan. 7:1-28). What does Proverbs 16:1 … Continue reading –>
Read Proverbs 15:1-33. Why is joy such an important human asset? Scripture does not promise us a life without trials. As Jesus Himself said: Sufficient for the day is its own trouble (Matt. 6:34, NKJV). Proverbs 15:15 explains that amid evil days, the one who maintains a merry heart will have a better time of … Continue reading –>
